stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstä-kiŋ How to pronounce stocking (audio)
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 adjective
Phrases
in one's stocking feet
: with the feet in stockings but not shoes

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 What was once avant-garde (the pantaloon, the stirrup, the male stocking, the chubby old manager inexplicably kitting up in full uniform) has become passé. Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 The head was made of black polystyrene, the wing folds were made of black elastic stocking, and the whole contraption was covered in felt. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 Over 1,000 mourners, several hundred of whom were transgender, arrived in daring outfits — glittery miniskirts and halter tops, fishnet stockings, sumptuous fur stoles and at least one boa sewed from $100 bills. Liam Stack, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Rowland stepped out for her big night in a stylish plaid overcoat with a brown shirt, shorts and tie combo underneath along with some fishnet stockings. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Accentuating the white in their stockings, Corrin donned a pair of white pointy-toed flats. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2024 The population has increased in the past 20 years due to lake sturgeon rearing and stocking efforts, research and protection of spawning adults. Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 2 Feb. 2024 Von Teese appears alongside the pop superstar in one segment, recreating the burlesque star’s sultry dance, with both women teasingly pull off a stocking before sensually dousing themselves with liquid squeezed from giant olives while in the martini glasses. Anna Chan, Billboard, 8 Jan. 2024 Madonna — who has been wowing audiences in North America and Europe on her 79-date Celebration Tour — wore a glittering corset with a pair of fishnet stockings during the vogueing competition. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stocking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete stock to cover with a stocking

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stocking was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near stocking

Cite this Entry

“Stocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stocking. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stocking

noun
stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ How to pronounce stocking (audio)
1
: a close-fitting usually knit covering for the foot and leg
2

Medical Definition

stocking

noun
stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ How to pronounce stocking (audio)
: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg see elastic stocking

More from Merriam-Webster on stocking

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