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

• 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

After Efstratiou's video began circulating, a number of clothing brand owners spoke out about their experience stocking plus-sized clothing. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

The singer paired the look with sheer black stockings, and wore her hair in a light brown bob with a side part that was styled in soft waves. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025

Who would have thought multiple books could fit in a stocking? —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2025

That makes this the best time to grab an advent calendar and a few toys for your pets' stockings! —Christine Persaud, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

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

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