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
3
: a decorative pouch shaped like a large sock for holding small gifts at Christmas
hung their (Christmas) stockings on the mantle
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
At her spring show, Marie-Adam Leenaerdt brought back the style, but her shiny spandex stocking version ensures no one confuses the look for child’s play.
—
Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
My husband, on the other hand, grew up in a house with stockings so overflowing with gifts that his grandmother actually transitioned them to giant TJ Maxx totes—the bounty simply couldn’t be contained by something small enough to hang from a mantel.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Dressing accordingly for the theme, Harry borrowed his friend Tom Hardy’s Mad Max costume while Meghan sported a camo tank with torn black shorts and fishnet stockings.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Feel free to accessorize the costume with a wool stocking hat and boots.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stocking
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Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
My husband, on the other hand, grew up in a house with stockings so overflowing with gifts that his grandmother actually transitioned them to giant TJ Maxx totes—the bounty simply couldn’t be contained by something small enough to hang from a mantel.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Dressing accordingly for the theme, Harry borrowed his friend Tom Hardy’s Mad Max costume while Meghan sported a camo tank with torn black shorts and fishnet stockings.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Feel free to accessorize the costume with a wool stocking hat and boots.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stocking
Cite this Entry
“Stocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stocking. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stocking
noun
stock·ing
ˈstäk-iŋ 
1
: a close-fitting usually knit covering for the foot and leg
2
Medical Definition
stocking
noun
stock·ing
ˈstäk-iŋ
: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg see elastic stocking
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