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

3

: a decorative pouch shaped like a large sock for holding small gifts at Christmas

hung their (Christmas) stockings on the mantle

stockinged

ˈstä-kiŋd 

adjective

see also:

in one's stocking feet

Synonyms of stocking

• 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

Michigan Department of Natural Resources The DNR recreational stocking efforts include lake trout, brown trout, walleye and other species at locations across the state. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

The latter’s got the best straight-line speed and elusiveness of the group, but is also slight in frame, standing about 6-foot-even in stocking feet. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026

Deputies also discovered a nylon stocking that was used to strangle her. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026

And that bird came from a stocking effort. —Matt Wyatt, Houston Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026

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
• in one's stocking feet
• silk-stocking
• stocking cap
• stocking filler
• stocking stuffer

Rhymes for stocking

• blocking
• caulking
• chalking
• clocking
• cocking
• docking
• flocking
• gawking
• knocking
• locking
• mocking
• rocking

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