hoarding

1 of 2

noun (1)

hoard·​ing ˈhȯr-diŋ 

plural hoardings

1

a

: the practice of collecting or accumulating something (such as money or food)

The hoarding and misuse of resources was uncommon even in times of natural disaster …

—Tanvi Nagpal

b

: something that is hoarded

—usually plural

Inside the net with us was a large brown paper bag, spewing forth the Halloween hoardings of the child in the gorilla suit …

—John Irving

2

psychology : the compulsion to continually accumulate a variety of items that are often considered useless or worthless by others accompanied by an inability to discard the items without great distress

Hoarding is marked by an overwhelming desire to collect items and an inability to discard things that may seem useless, to such a point that the collections cause stress and start impacting a person's health, career or relationships.

—Erin Allday

People justify hoarding as curating and recycling, deeming odd objects beautiful and useful.

—Peter D. Kramer

see also hoarding disorder

hoarding

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural hoardings

1

: a temporary board fence put about a building being erected or repaired

called also hoard

2

British : billboard

Examples of hoarding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The effects would resemble the supply chain problems caused by the pandemic: volatile quantities and uncertainty could trigger hoarding and would raise prices above $100 if the attacks are fairly successful. —Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Play was halted in the first set with Zverev leading 5-2, 15-30 after a crash was heard inside the arena, with video footage showing that a piece of an advertising hoarding had fallen and struck a female spectator sitting in the tier below. —Matias Grez, CNN Money, 19 June 2025

Approximately 250,000 animals are reported annually as victims of hoarding, often found living in unsanitary conditions. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

The rest of the Tottenham squad caught up with Tel, celebrated with the fans as Yves Bissouma climbed up onto the advertising hoardings, twirling a scarf around his head. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

hourd, hoard hoarding

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hoarding

• hoarding disorder

Rhymes for hoarding

• boarding
• cording
• fording
• warding
• according
• affording
• awarding
• keyboarding
• recording
• rewarding
• skateboarding
• snowboarding

Medical Definition

hoarding

noun

hoard·​ing ˈhȯrd-iŋ 

: the compulsion to continually accumulate a variety of items that are often considered useless or worthless by others accompanied by an inability to discard the items without great distress

Hoarding is marked by an overwhelming desire to collect items and an inability to discard things that may seem useless, to such a point that the collections cause stress and start impacting a person's health, career or relationships.

—Erin Allday

People justify hoarding as curating and recycling, deeming odd objects beautiful and useful.

—Peter D. Kramer

see hoarding disorder