stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstä-kiŋ 

1

a

: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg

b

: sock

2

: something resembling a stocking

especially : a ring of distinctive color on the lower part of the leg of an animal

stockinged

ˈstä-kiŋd 

adjective

Phrases

in one's stocking feet

: with the feet in stockings but not shoes

Synonyms

• hose
• sock

Examples of stocking in a Sentence

a pair of wool stockings

thick wool stockings designed to be worn with hiking boots

Recent Examples on the Web

Thorne paired the dress with black sheer stockings and matching Versace platform heels, creating a stark color contrast. —Julia Teti, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024

To walk through the advertisements in Life magazine: smoke cigarettes on a sidewalk under a skyscraper in Manhattan, eat cake, sail on the river, be with women who wore stockings. —Paul Yoon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024

Silhouettes range from bustiers to string bikinis to thigh-high stockings to teddys to underwear bras to briefs, tanks and shorts. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024

Bustiers, string bikinis ,and thigh-high stockings are standouts in the collaborative capsule. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

obsolete stock to cover with a stocking

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stocking

• body stocking
• Christmas stocking
• silk stocking
• stocking cap
• stocking filler
• stocking stuffer

Kids Definition

stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ 

1

: a close-fitting usually knit covering for the foot and leg

2

: sock entry 1

Medical Definition

stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ 

: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg see elastic stocking