mantelpiece mantelpiece /ˈmæn.təl.piːs/ aep /-t̬əl-/ noun [C] (US ALSOmantel) ► F0 a shelf above a fireplace, usually part of a frame that surrounds the fireplace: » She's got photographs of all her grandchildren on the mantelpiece.Thesaurus+: ↑The fireplace and parts of the fireplace