shelve

[ shelv ]

/ ʃɛlv /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR shelve ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), shelved, shelv·ing.

to place (something) on a shelf or shelves.

to put off or aside from consideration: to shelve the question.

to remove from active use or service; dismiss.

to furnish with shelves.

Words nearby shelve

sheltered housing, sheltered workshop, sheltie, shelton, shelty, shelve, shelves, shelving, shem, shema, shembe

Origin of shelve

First recorded in 1585–95; v. use of shelve(s)

SYNONYMS FOR shelve

2 defer, table, pigeonhole.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR shelve ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM shelve

shelv·er, noun

Definition for shelve (2 of 2)

shelve²

[ shelv ]

/ ʃɛlv /

verb (used without object), shelved, shelv·ing.

to slope gradually.

Origin of shelve

1580–90; origin uncertain; compare Frisian skelf not quite level

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for shelve

When Kubrick explained that the resulting movie would be seven hours long, they agreed to shelve the script.
‘The Counselor’ & How Cormac McCarthy Beat the Hollywood Curse|Andrew Romano|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If they read Nelson carefully, they'll hear a muted warning to shelve Paul Ryan's budget plans.
What Lessons Can American Conservatives Take from Our British Counterparts?|David Frum|March 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That's really expensive, and it requires a lot of labor to keep track of all of those SKUs, figure out where to shelve them, etc.
Why Can’t Walmart Be More Like Costco?|Megan McArdle|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So should we shelve the personal-empowerment movement if we want to have long and happy marriages?
Do Narcissists Have Better Sex?|Hannah Seligson|June 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Nay more, there is sometimes, however rarely as yet, an ominous disposition even in clerical circles to shelve the Bible.
To My Younger Brethren|Handley C. G. Moule
Ah, well; then we'll shelve that subject too for the present.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 93, July 16, 1887|Various
The very thoroughness of his intention for that advanced date inclined him all the more readily to shelve the subject now.
Two on a Tower|Thomas Hardy
Two more rooms were taken over from the Legislative Council in 1881 and temporarily the Library could shelve all its books.
Report of the Chief Librarian|J. O. Wilson and General Assembly Library (New Zealand)
But he could shelve the side-issue, and fall back on the previous question with a sense of getting out of shoal water.
It Never Can Happen Again|William De Morgan

British Dictionary definitions for shelve (1 of 2)

shelve¹

/ (ʃɛlv) /

verb (tr)

to place on a shelf

to provide with shelves

to put aside or postpone from consideration

to dismiss or cause to retire

Derived forms of shelve

shelver, noun

Word Origin for shelve

C16: from shelves, plural of shelf

British Dictionary definitions for shelve (2 of 2)

shelve²

/ (ʃɛlv) /

verb

(intr) to slope away gradually; incline

Word Origin for shelve

C16: origin uncertain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

shelve

verb (used with object), shelved, shelv·ing.

Words related to shelve

Words nearby shelve

Origin of shelve

SYNONYMS FOR shelve

OTHER WORDS FROM shelve

Definition for shelve (2 of 2)

verb (used without object), shelved, shelv·ing.

Origin of shelve

Examples from the Web for shelve

British Dictionary definitions for shelve (1 of 2)

verb (tr)

Derived forms of shelve

Word Origin for shelve

British Dictionary definitions for shelve (2 of 2)

verb

Word Origin for shelve