ledge

[lej]

noun

1. a relatively narrow, projecting part, as a horizontal, shelflike projection on a wall or a raised edge on a tray.

2. a more or less flat shelf of rock protruding from a cliff or slope.

3. a reef, ridge, or line of rocks in the sea or other body of water.

4. Mining.

   1. a layer or mass of rock underground.

   2. a lode or vein.

5. Carpentry.,  a member similar to but larger than a cleat.

6. Shipbuilding.,  a minor transverse deck beam running between regular deck beams to form part of a coaming.

verb (used with object)

ledged, ledging 

1. to assemble (a door or the like) with ledges.

ledge

/ lɛdʒ /

noun

1. a narrow horizontal surface resembling a shelf and projecting from a wall, window, etc

2. a layer of rock that contains an ore; vein

3. a ridge of rock that lies beneath the surface of the sea

4. a narrow shelflike rock projection on a cliff or mountain

Other Word Forms

• ledgeless adjective
• unledged adjective
• ledgy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ledge¹

1300–50; Middle English legge, perhaps derivative of leggen to lay ¹; compare Middle High German legge layer, edge, Old English lecg part of a weapon

Word History and Origins

Origin of ledge¹

C14 legge, perhaps from leggen to _lay ¹

Example Sentences

We learn that a horrific accident happened many years earlier, when the friend’s son fell from a ledge.

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One woman fell during the chaos, landing on a ledge on the north side of the dome, where she would eventually have to be rescued by helicopter.

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But, after helping them to safety, he became stuck under a ledge.

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The guest of honor was sound asleep on the ledge above the store’s front door.

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A video taken by Botello shows an armed masked man standing from the ledge of an open door of a black SUV slowly driving along a street near Maywood’s Riverfront Park.

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Related Words

• berm 
• ridge 
• rim 
• sill