# shelf

/ˈʃɛɫf/ (US) · /ʃˈɛlf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shelf
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. storage surface

noun · CEFR A1

a flat board on a wall or in a cupboard where you can put books, tools, or other objects.

For teachers: a flat, rigid structure fixed horizontally to a wall or as part of a piece of furniture, used for storage or display.

- He put the new books on the top shelf so the children couldn't reach them.
- The carpenter installed adjustable shelves in the pantry to accommodate various sizes of kitchen appliances and storage containers.

Usage: The plural form is 'shelves'.

### 2. geological ledge

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a flat, rocky area that sticks out from a cliff or under the ocean.

For teachers: a projecting ledge of rock or a submerged bank, such as a continental shelf.

- The divers explored the coral shelf just off the coast of the island.
- The continental shelf extends for miles beneath the ocean surface before dropping off into the deep basin.

Teaching tip: Often used in the specific geographical term 'continental shelf'.

## Examples

- I put the books on the top shelf.
- The kitchen has several open shelves where we keep our most frequently used spices and jars.
- The library's archive consists of miles of reinforced steel shelves, each meticulously labelled to ensure the preservation and retrieval of rare manuscripts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.