bookshelf

American  

[book-shelf] / ˈbʊkˌʃɛlf /

noun

• bookshelves
  plural

1. a shelf for holding books, especially one of several shelves in a bookcase.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bookshelves
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bookshelf

First recorded in 1810–20; book + shelf

Compare meaning

How does bookshelf compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• bookshelf vs. bookcase

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bookshelf bookshelves

Now the child has her own bookshelf in their shared household - "and one whole shelf is for her Dolly books".

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Julio Miranda-Martin fills the bookshelf in his dining room with books and treasures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

The townhouse also comes complete with three office spaces and another lounging space situated next to a bookshelf.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 14, 2026

But among my new items is a large bookshelf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2025

I pick one of Teddy’s from the bookshelf.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

The unit features hardwood floors and built-in bookshelves and storage.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

Davis loved to read and collect books, devouring anything from John Updike and Margaret Atwood, among other authors, a passion that necessitated having bookshelves in every room of his home.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

What was it about O’Rourke’s bulging bookshelves that got Kilmeade so shirty?

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026

Publishing has long been subject to cyclical changes, with trends in format and genre taking over bookshelves in grand sweeps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

The bookshelves strained under boxes of ammo and stacks of Louis L’Amour paperbacks.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover