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Synonyms

shelving

American  
[shel-ving] / ˈʃɛl vɪŋ /

noun

  1. material for shelves.

  2. shelves collectively.

shelving British  
/ ˈʃɛlvɪŋ /

noun

  1. material for making shelves

  2. a set of shelves; shelves collectively

"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

Etymology

Origin of shelving

First recorded in 1625–35; shelve 1 + -ing 1

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.

Irenic proposed staff cuts, shelving projects, and leveraging AI; Snap’s board welcomes input, focusing on efficiency.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Closer to the front line, many men on active duty are also shelving the idea of starting a a relationship.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

If doctors determine he is unlikely to play this season, it’s unlikely the team would make the same mistake since shelving Puig would open up a designated-play spot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

A lot of it’s reclaimed stuff, and he put really cool metal shelving up to make a jam wall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

They found a table by the bulletin board and a bearded librarian shelving books.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.