shelve
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to place (something) on a shelf or shelves.
-
to put off or aside from consideration.
to shelve the question.
- Synonyms:
- pigeonhole, table, defer
-
to remove from active use or service; dismiss.
-
to furnish with shelves.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to place on a shelf
-
to provide with shelves
-
to put aside or postpone from consideration
-
to dismiss or cause to retire
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shelve1
First recorded in 1585–95; verb use of shelve(s)
Origin of shelve2
1580–90; origin uncertain; compare Frisian skelf not quite level
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He said the investigating judge in Spain would now consider the new evidence, and decide whether to proceed as a criminal case or shelve it.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Turmoil in the bond market might have played a role in the decision of smart-ring maker Oura to shelve its IPO.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
Rather than shelve the movie, Scott — ever the problem solver — replaced him with Christopher Plummer and reshot 22 scenes just weeks before it was due in theaters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Britain indicated Saturday it would shelve plans to hand back the Chagos Islands -- which hosts a strategic US-UK military base -- after US President Donald Trump strongly criticised the deal.
From Barron's ● Apr. 11, 2026
She envisioned Mr. Griswold walking out from the back with a box of books to shelve, greeting customers as the chimes signaled their entrance.
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Australia's Firmus just shelved plans to start selling shares to the public.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
Kraft Heinz shelved its planned split in February after a new leader concluded its problems were fixable with more investment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
But as state "bodegas" disappear, the "libreta" ration book that symbolized equal access to affordable food for all is being quietly shelved.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
South Korea and Japan shelved decades of historical enmity to present China with a united front.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026
Meanwhile, Dr. Zinchenko had commandeered a hover ladder and sailed up to the spot where the missing book should’ve been shelved.
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
October alone has witnessed the shelving of three separate flotations planned for data-center providers, backed by AI powerhouses like Nvidia, Blackstone and SoftBank.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026
Once a film is made, they said, shelving it would make little sense, because even a film that loses money in theaters adds value to the company’s streaming library.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
Among them was Cameron’s upstairs work loft, where Alix ripped out the carpet before adding dark gray textured walls, wood flooring, custom black shelving, weathered-looking light fixtures, and a large glass table.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
In the 12th-floor model unit, the steel framework has even been turned into closet shelving.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Cots, trunks, and rickety shelving occupied the space.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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