ledge

American  

[lej] / lɛdʒ /

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.

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verb (used with object)

ledged, ledging

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

ledge British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• ledgeless
  adjective
• ledgy
  adjective
• unledged
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ledge

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

Explanation

A ledge is a flat, narrow surface or shelf. As you climb a steep mountain, you might find a flat spot sticking out from the cliff — that's an example of a ledge. The word ledge comes from the Old English lædge, which means "a shelf or projection." A ledge can appear in many places, from natural rock formations to man-made structures like buildings and bridges. Windows usually have ledges, and people may display artwork and knickknacks on wall ledges in their homes. Underwater ledges may be formed by reefs or a line of submerged rocks.

Example Sentences

Tucked away in rural western Maryland, past a dead-end road cut off by railroad tracks, a stream runs cool and clear over a ledge dotted with snails.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

This laid-back, cafe-laden ledge is located above the beaches and ancient ramparts where the Douro River pours through its last, lovely tributaries into the Atlantic Ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Blake Gwinn and Izaac Brook of RBC Capital Markets said Warsh’s authority would erode quickly if he went too far out on a ledge.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026

Twelve-year-old Nico Antic had been jumping off a rock ledge with friends on 18 January when he was attacked by what authorities suspected was a bull shark.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

It is a twenty-mile downhill run through a river gorge studded with boulders and you run on an ice ledge steeply down, weaving in and out of the boulders for the whole distance.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• berm
• ridge
• rim
• sill