stalk

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstȯk 

1

: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part

especially : peduncle

2

a

: the main stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent parts

b

: a part of a plant (such as a petiole or stipe) that supports another

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalkless

ˈstȯk-ləs 

adjective

stalky

ˈstȯ-kē 

adjective

stalk

2 of 3

verb

stalked; stalking; stalks

intransitive verb

1

: to pursue quarry or prey stealthily

2

: to walk stiffly or haughtily

transitive verb

1

: to pursue by stalking

2

: to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry

stalk the woods for deer

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

stalk

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: the act of stalking

2

: a stalking gait

Synonyms

Verb

• chase
• hunt

Examples of stalk in a Sentence

Verb

a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer

This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer.

She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her.

She angrily stalked out of the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Scout your local farmers market for ruby stalks that are firm, unbent, and bruise-free. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 23 May 2024

The bioluminescent bulb at the tip of the fish’s stalk is called an esca. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English stalke; akin to Old English stela stalk, support

Verb

Middle English, from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal — more at steal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stalk

• yolk stalk

Kids Definition

stalk

1 of 3 noun

ˈstȯk 

1

: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting structure

the stalk of a goblet

2

: a plant stem especially of a plant that is not woody

stalks of asparagus

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalky

ˈstȯ-kē 

adjective

stalk

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to hunt slowly and quietly

stalk deer

b

: to go through (an area) in search of prey

stalk the woods for deer

2

: to walk in a stiff or proud manner

stalked out of the room

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

stalker noun

stalk

3 of 3 noun

1

: the act of stalking

2

: a stalking manner of walking

Medical Definition

stalk

noun

ˈstȯk 

: a slender supporting or connecting part : peduncle

the pituitary stalk

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalkless adjective

Legal Definition

stalk

transitive verb

ˈstȯk

: to subject to stalking

intransitive verb

: to engage in stalking

stalker noun