stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstä-kiŋ How to pronounce stocking (audio)
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 adjective
Phrases
in one's stocking feet
: with the feet in stockings but not shoes

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 These are perfect for stuffing those stockings and include Santa Claus smelling like vanilla to a donut that’s all about lemon vibes, snowflakes that scream cotton candy, stars with a hint of sweet orange, Christmas trees with a coconut twist, and Christmas stockings that smell like strawberries. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2023 These Carhartt gloves are great to stick in a stocking or gift on their own. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023 Hiking helpers What hiking enthusiast wouldn’t enjoy seeing these poles peeking out of a stocking? Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023 In an image, Chetrit appears with a stocking stretched over her garish face, like some perverse mashup of a china doll and a bank robber. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2023 Dressing accordingly for the theme, Harry borrowed his friend Tom Hardy’s Mad Max costume while Meghan sported a camo tank with torn black shots and fishnet stockings. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023 There's really no right amount of gifts to put in a stocking. Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 18 Nov. 2023 Easily slotted into a stocking or attached to a larger gift (a backyard pizza oven, say, or a spice drawer organizer), chile flakes are another one of those kitchen staples that can be noticeably improved when done thoughtfully. Ella Riley-Adams Angela Koh Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Tom Delavan, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023 Despite common thought, some of the best gifts throughout the holiday season are packed inside stockings rather than sitting under the tree. Anna Tingley, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stocking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete stock to cover with a stocking

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stocking was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near stocking

Cite this Entry

“Stocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stocking. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

stocking

noun
stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ How to pronounce stocking (audio)
1
: a close-fitting usually knit covering for the foot and leg
2

Medical Definition

stocking

noun
stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ How to pronounce stocking (audio)
: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg see elastic stocking

More from Merriam-Webster on stocking

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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