ledge

[ lej ]
See synonyms for ledge on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. a reef, ridge, or line of rocks in the sea or other body of water.

  2. Mining.

    • a layer or mass of rock underground.

    • a lode or vein.

  3. Carpentry. a member similar to but larger than a cleat.

  4. Shipbuilding. a minor transverse deck beam running between regular deck beams to form part of a coaming.

verb (used with object),ledged, ledg·ing.
  1. to assemble (a door or the like) with ledges.

Origin of ledge

1
1300–50; Middle English legge, perhaps derivative of leggen to lay1; compare Middle High German legge layer, edge, Old English lecg part of a weapon

Other words from ledge

  • ledgeless, adjective
  • un·ledged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for ledge

ledge

/ (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

  1. a ridge of rock that lies beneath the surface of the sea

  2. a narrow shelflike rock projection on a cliff or mountain

Origin of ledge

1
C14 legge, perhaps from leggen to lay 1

Derived forms of ledge

  • ledgy or ledged, adjective

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