shelf
shelf /ʃ'elf/ (shelves)
1 [N-COUNT]
A shelf is a flat piece of wood, metal, or glass which is attached to a wall or to the sides of a cupboard. Shelves are used for keeping things on.
He took a book from the shelf.
...the middle shelf of the oven.
2 [N-COUNT]
A shelf is a section of rock on a cliff or mountain or underwater that sticks out like a shelf.
The house stands on a shelf of rock among pines.
see also continental shelf
3 [PHRASE] PHR after v, PHR n
If you buy something off the shelf, you buy something that is not specially made for you. (BRIT)
...off-the-shelf software.
≠ tailor-madecon|ti|nen|tal shelf
[N-UNCOUNT]
The continental shelf is the area which forms the edge of a continent, ending in a steep slope to the depths of the ocean.
...the deep water off the Continental Shelf.shelf life (shelf lives)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
The shelf life of a product, especially food, is the length of time that it can be kept in a shop or at home before it becomes too old to sell or use.
Mature flour has a longer shelf life.
1 [N-COUNT]
A shelf is a flat piece of wood, metal, or glass which is attached to a wall or to the sides of a cupboard. Shelves are used for keeping things on.
He took a book from the shelf.
...the middle shelf of the oven.
2 [N-COUNT]
A shelf is a section of rock on a cliff or mountain or underwater that sticks out like a shelf.
The house stands on a shelf of rock among pines.
see also continental shelf
3 [PHRASE] PHR after v, PHR n
If you buy something off the shelf, you buy something that is not specially made for you. (BRIT)
...off-the-shelf software.
≠ tailor-madecon|ti|nen|tal shelf
[N-UNCOUNT]
The continental shelf is the area which forms the edge of a continent, ending in a steep slope to the depths of the ocean.
...the deep water off the Continental Shelf.shelf life (shelf lives)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
The shelf life of a product, especially food, is the length of time that it can be kept in a shop or at home before it becomes too old to sell or use.
Mature flour has a longer shelf life.