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

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

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 14, 2026

The framed photo of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta sits in my personal office on a bookshelf crammed with volumes about California and the American West.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026

But among my new items is a large bookshelf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2025

He found one of Tiamat's teeth beside the bookshelf, and deposited it in the collection he had started in his desk.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

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

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026

Knoll has written romantic scenes before, but “Helpless” needed to be enthralling and economic enough not to get her kicked off of Target’s bookshelves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

A £656.94 Dyson lamp bought from John Lewis was also found in the corner of a room next to a wall lined with bookshelves.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

Hundreds of football fans gathered beneath the towering bookshelves of Tehran Book Garden on Sunday night to watch Iran take on Belgium in the World Cup.

From Barron's ● Jun. 21, 2026

Three bookshelves with five rows each is fifteen rows of books.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari