shelf S3 W3 /ʃelf/ BrE AmE noun ( plural shelves /ʃelvz/)
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Middle Low German ; Origin: schelf ]
1 . [countable] a long flat narrow board attached to a wall or in a frame or cupboard, used for putting things on
top/bottom/next etc shelf
Put it back on the top shelf.
shelves of books
supermarket shelves
the amount of shelf space available
2 . [countable] a narrow surface of rock shaped like a shelf, especially under water ⇨ ↑ continental shelf
3 . off-the-shelf available to be bought immediately, without having to be specially designed or ordered:
off-the-shelf software packages
⇨ ↑ off-the-peg
4 . on the shelf
a) if something is left on the shelf, it is not used or considered:
The album stayed on the shelf for several years, until it was finally released.
b) British English old-fashioned too old to get married – used especially of women
⇨ ↑ shelve (3)