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
see also:
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
On February 13th, for his free skate, Malinin glided out onto the ice wearing a sheer shirt with sequins studded in the shape of a blooming flame; the sleeves flowed past his wrists and sheathed both of his hands, like a pair of stockings masquerading as mittens.
—
Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Noonan’s killer is unnervingly tall, with a stocking mask over the top half of his head, strands of gray-blond hair poking out the back.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
Cocktail dresses and cozy twinsets have been swapped out for work-appropriate blazers and cardigans layered over shirts, though Rowe retained some of Jones’s flirty personality by dressing her in pieces such as a mini skirt, made more demure styled with stockings.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Robbie's dress came with a strapless, sheer stocking-like overlay, revealing a ditsy floral pattern underneath.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stocking
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Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026
Noonan’s killer is unnervingly tall, with a stocking mask over the top half of his head, strands of gray-blond hair poking out the back.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026
Cocktail dresses and cozy twinsets have been swapped out for work-appropriate blazers and cardigans layered over shirts, though Rowe retained some of Jones’s flirty personality by dressing her in pieces such as a mini skirt, made more demure styled with stockings.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Robbie's dress came with a strapless, sheer stocking-like overlay, revealing a ditsy floral pattern underneath.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stocking
Cite this Entry
“Stocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stocking. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stocking
noun
stock·ing
ˈstäk-iŋ 
1
: a close-fitting usually knit covering for the foot and leg
2
Medical Definition
stocking
noun
stock·ing
ˈstäk-iŋ
: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg see elastic stocking
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