stockpile

1 of 2

noun

stock·​pile ˈstäk-ˌpī(-ə)l 

: a storage pile: such as

a

: a reserve supply of something essential accumulated within a country for use during a shortage

b

: a gradually accumulated reserve of something

… avert stockpiles of unsold cars.

—Bert Pierce

stockpile

2 of 2

verb

stockpiled; stockpiling; stockpiles

transitive verb

1

: to place or store in or on a stockpile

2

: to accumulate a stockpile of

a country suspected of stockpiling weapons

stockpiler noun

Synonyms of stockpile

Noun

• stash
• hoard

Verb

• store
• stash
• hoard
• accumulate

Examples of stockpile in a Sentence

Noun

a stockpile of medical supplies

an emergency stockpile of potable water and canned goods in the cellar

Verb

The government stockpiled vaccines to prepare for a flu epidemic.

we should be able to stockpile enough vaccine for the upcoming flu season

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The gunpowder choke point Gunpowder prices have spiked as the war in Ukraine depleted stockpiles. — Elsa Ohlen,greg Kennedy, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Israeli intelligence believes Iran moved part of its enriched uranium stockpile to Pickaxe Mountain after last June’s attacks, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN. — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Verb

Tanya stockpiled mozzarella sticks and Gatorade, while Pat smuggled in a peanut butter protein bar and a bottle of water for the three-hour tour. — Matt Minton, Variety, 22 July 2026

Japan plans to spend up to $100 billion over five years on stockpiling ammunition, maintenance, and hardening military bases across its archipelago. — Huong Le-Thu, Time, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stockpile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

Kids Definition

stockpile

noun

stock·​pile

ˈstäk-ˌpīl

: an extra supply especially of something necessary accumulated within a country for use during a shortage

stockpile verb