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

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

All’s Fair appears to be an overstuffed Christmas stocking of female Hollywood talent (Kim Kardashian! —Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025

DuPont debuted the material at the 1939 World’s Fair, revolutionizing fashion forever when nylon stockings hit the market a year later in 1940. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 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