Illustration of continental shelf
- 1 seashore
- 2 continental shelf
- 3 continental slope
- 4 abyssal plain
- 5 seamount
continental shelf
noun
: a shallow submarine plain of varying width forming a border to a continent and typically ending in a comparatively steep slope to the deep ocean floor
Examples of continental shelf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Marine life concentrates most densely in the shallowest waters of this continental shelf, 100 feet deep or less, in reefs, lagoons, and coastal inlets where a person can swim and scuba dive without specialized gear.
—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
Some adult females, outside of breeding season, travel far past the continental shelf to find food, while others stay close to land.
—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Outside of breeding season, some adult females travel far past the continental shelf hunting food while others stay close to land.
—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Their lineup drops off more steeply than a continental shelf, and their entire coaching staff is feeling the heat.
—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for continental shelf
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Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
Some adult females, outside of breeding season, travel far past the continental shelf to find food, while others stay close to land.
—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Outside of breeding season, some adult females travel far past the continental shelf hunting food while others stay close to land.
—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Their lineup drops off more steeply than a continental shelf, and their entire coaching staff is feeling the heat.
—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for continental shelf
Cite this Entry
“Continental shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continental%20shelf. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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