Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

stalk

noun (1)
\ ˈstȯk \

Definition of stalk 

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part especially : peduncle
2a : 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

stalk

verb
stalked; stalking; stalks

Definition of stalk (Entry 2 of 3)

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

stalk

noun (2)

Definition of stalk (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : the act of stalking
2 : a stalking gait
Other Words from stalk Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about stalk

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from stalk

Noun (1)

stalked \ ˈstȯkt \ adjective
stalkless \ ˈstȯk-​ləs \ adjective
stalky \ ˈstȯ-​kē \ adjective

Verb

stalker noun

Synonyms for stalk

Synonyms: Verb

chase, hunt

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

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.
See More

First Known Use of stalk

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for stalk

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about stalk

Statistics for stalk

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for stalk

The first known use of stalk was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for stalk

stalk

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stalk

: to follow (an animal or person that you are hunting or trying to capture) by moving slowly and quietly

: to go through (a place or area) while hunting

: to follow, watch, and bother (someone) constantly in a way that is frightening, dangerous, etc.

See the full definition for stalk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stalk

noun
\ ˈstȯk \

Kids Definition of stalk

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a plant stem especially when not woody stalks of celery
2 : a slender supporting structure the stalk of a goblet

Other Words from stalk

stalked \ ˈstȯkt \ adjective

stalk

verb
stalked; stalking

Kids Definition of stalk (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to walk in a stiff or proud manner He stalked angrily out of the room.
2 : to hunt slowly and quietly A cat stalked the bird.

Other Words from stalk

stalker noun

stalk

noun
\ ˈstȯk \

Medical Definition of stalk 

: a slender supporting or connecting part : peduncle the pituitary stalk

Other Words from stalk

stalked \ ˈstȯkt \ adjective
stalkless adjective

Keep scrolling for more

stalk

transitive verb
\ ˈstȯk\

Legal Definition of stalk 

: to subject to stalking

intransitive verb

: to engage in stalking

Other Words from stalk

stalker noun

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on stalk

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with stalk

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stalk

Spanish Central: Translation of stalk

Nglish: Translation of stalk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stalk for Arabic Speakers

Comments on stalk

What made you want to look up stalk? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

liaison

a person who helps groups work together

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Liar, Liar Quiz

  • alt-5761dbe2ba986
  • Someone who pretends to be sick in order to avoid work is a:
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  2. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

  3. clemency Cyntoia Brown granted release

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games