ledge

noun

ˈlej 

1

: a raised or projecting edge or molding intended to protect or check

a window ledge

2

: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore

3

a

: a narrow flat surface or shelf

especially : one that projects from a wall of rock

We rappelled down the cliff and reached the ledge.

b

: rock that is solid or continuous enough to form ledges : bedrock

the field was full of ledge

4

: lode, vein

ledgy

ˈle-jē 

adjective

Examples of ledge in a Sentence

birds perched on the ledge of a building

a ledge on the side of the mountain

Recent Examples on the Web

Talking president-elect Trump off the ledge of widespread tariffs does not seem likely. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Looking across the courtyard into the hostage zone, Charles realizes that the murder wasn’t a two-person job after all and that Marshall was able to pull it all off in such a short time by walking along the building’s ledge to get between the units. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

However, a man named Richard (Finn Wittrock) is also there and talks Iris down the ledge. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

The Seattle Police Department said that at about 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 7, officers responded to reports of a man sitting on a ledge above the train tracks near 2nd Avenue and East Jackson Street. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English legge bar of a gate

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ledge

noun

ˈlej 

1

: a projecting ridge or raised edge along a surface

2

: an underwater ridge or reef especially near the shore

3

: a narrow flat surface or shelf

especially : one that sticks out from a wall of rock