stocking

1 of 2

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

3

: a decorative pouch shaped like a large sock for holding small gifts at Christmas

hung their (Christmas) stockings on the mantle

stockinged

ˈstä-kiŋd 

adjective

see also:

in one's stocking feet

stocking

2 of 2

present participle of stock entry 2

Synonyms of stocking

Noun

• sock

Examples of stocking in a Sentence

Noun

a pair of wool stockings

thick wool stockings designed to be worn with hiking boots

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Your kids do not want generic crap from TJ Maxx or Target impulse aisle in their stockings for Christmas. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

The homey vibe of the clip, which also features a shot of a roaring fire, holiday sweaters, a glimpse of a Christmas tree and Rodrigo’s stocking hung with care above on the mantle does not provide any audio from the song. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2026

She was bound, beaten, and naked — strangled to death by one of her stockings. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026

There’s velvet stockings that’ll even make Santa do a double take and lit Fraser fir garlands to add a warm, inviting glow to your space. — Vivien Lee, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

obsolete stock to cover with a stocking

First Known Use

Noun

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stocking

• body stocking
• Christmas stocking
• in one's stocking feet
• silk stocking
• stocking cap
• stocking filler
• stocking stuffer

Rhymes for stocking

• blocking
• calking
• caulking
• chalking
• clocking
• cocking
• docking
• flocking
• gawking
• knocking
• locking
• mocking

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