stalk

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstȯk 

1

: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part

especially : peduncle

2

a

: the main stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent parts

b

: a part of a plant (such as a petiole or stipe) that supports another

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalkless

ˈstȯk-ləs 

adjective

stalky

ˈstȯ-kē 

adjective

stalk

2 of 3

verb

stalked; stalking; stalks

intransitive verb

1

: to pursue quarry or prey stealthily

2

: to walk stiffly or haughtily

transitive verb

1

: to pursue by stalking

2

: to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry

stalk the woods for deer

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

stalking a celebrity

stalk

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: the act of stalking

2

: a stalking gait

Synonyms of stalk

Verb

• hunt
• chase

Examples of stalk in a Sentence

Verb

a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer

This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer.

She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her.

She angrily stalked out of the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That said, Ford notes that many growers remove the flower stalk early, allowing the plant to direct more energy toward trap growth, as blooming requires a significant amount of energy. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026

Hang upside down to dry before cutting off the stalk and storing them in cardboard or wood boxes lined with newspaper, sawdust, vermiculite, wood shavings or peat moss. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Verb

For example, stalking a spouse is generally charged as a misdemeanor for a first offense. — Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 14 July 2026

According to prosecutors, a group of gunmen later tracked Bowman to Los Angeles in 2022, then stalked and ambushed him at a gas station near the Beverly Center, firing at least 18 rounds from multiple weapons, including a machine gun. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English stalke; akin to Old English stela stalk, support

Verb

Middle English, from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal — more at steal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stalk

• yolk stalk

Rhymes for stalk

• balk
• baulk
• bloc
• bock
• broch
• brock
• calk
• caulk
• chalk
• chock
• clock
• cock

Kids Definition

stalk

1 of 3 noun

ˈstȯk 

1

: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting structure

the stalk of a goblet

2

: a plant stem especially of a plant that is not woody

stalks of asparagus

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalky

ˈstȯ-kē 

adjective

stalk

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to hunt slowly and quietly

stalk deer

b

: to go through (an area) in search of prey

stalk the woods for deer

2

: to walk in a stiff or proud manner

stalked out of the room

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

stalker noun

stalk

3 of 3 noun

1

: the act of stalking

2

: a stalking manner of walking

Medical Definition

stalk

noun

ˈstȯk 

: a slender supporting or connecting part : peduncle

the pituitary stalk

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalkless adjective

Legal Definition

stalk

transitive verb

ˈstȯk

: to subject to stalking

intransitive verb

: to engage in stalking

stalker noun