Definitions

shelving

[shel-ving] / ˈʃɛl vɪŋ /

VERB

defer, postpone

Synonyms

STRONGEST

freeze give up mothball prolong put off suspend waive

STRONG

delay dismiss drop hold pigeonhole prorogue scrub sideline stay table

WEAK

hang up hold off hold over hold up lay aside put aside put on back burner put on hold put on ice slow up tie up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue go

STRONG

advance

WEAK

carry out do go ahead

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.

Teeming documents charting the rich subsoil of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo fill nearly 500 metres of shelving at the AfricaMuseum in Tervuren, outside the Belgian capital.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

Often, these programs have assisted store owners with a mix of expertise, funding and logistics, such as new shelving and refrigeration.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

This time, producers including Diamondback and EOG Resources EOG 2.52%increase; green up pointing triangle have promised to do those very things while shelving variable dividends.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

As part of the company’s initiative to grow revenue and stay abreast of competition, the Wall Street Journal reported last month that OpenAI is shelving “side quests” to focus on core enterprise and productivity tools.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The beach in the cove was white shingle, like the one behind me, but steeper, shelving suddenly to the sea.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier