[go: up one dir, main page]

1
: of the best quality
top-shelf products
Reading does have one top-shelf tourist attraction, a gorgeous pagoda that sits atop a mountain.Joe Queenan
2
[from the placement of sexually explicit magazines for sale on high shelves out of the reach of children] British : containing pornographic material
top-shelf magazines
This year, retailers are going to come under increased pressure to clean up their acts. Of course, they're not obliged to sell top-shelf mags.The Grocer

Examples of top-shelf in a Sentence

hoping to impress the new neighbors, she brought a top-shelf wine as a housewarming gift
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Powered by the brand’s Calibre 2460 automatic movement with 40 hours of power reserve, these stunning pieces are top-shelf collector’s items that bring together the very best aspects of Vacheron Constantin’s savoir faire. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025 The Savannah College of Art and Design is known to deliver some top-shelf talent for its SCADstyle event and this year is no exception. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 Mar. 2025 What this means: After spending significant resources over the past week to upgrade the offensive line, the Bears turned their attention to the defensive front with a top-shelf signing from the edge rusher aisle. Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 The hybrid products have ingredient lists that read like the labels of top-shelf skin care; Ilia’s lightweight, medium coverage concealer is no exception. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for top-shelf

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of top-shelf was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Top-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-shelf. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!