open-shelf

[ oh-puhn-shelf ]

adjective

1. open-stack.

Word History and Origins

Origin of open-shelf¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

A: The type of sink vanity I recommend for small bathrooms is an open-style or open-shelf vanity.

From Seattle Times

Open-shelf pieces aren’t ideal for storing pants and sweaters, but they can be handy for baskets and shoes.

From Washington Post

The books were taken from the open-shelf room.

From Project Gutenberg

The open-shelf plan cannot be established in the Sunday school, for the room is usually too small, the time of the session is too brief, and the work of the school too important to allow interruption.

From Project Gutenberg

To stimulate all students, Ransom thought up the university's now-abuilding $4,000,000 "academic center," containing an open-shelf library of 250,000 books.

From Time Magazine Archive