stockpile

noun stock·pile \ ˈstäk-ˌpī(-ə)l \

Definition of stockpile

: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

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Examples of stockpile in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of stockpile from the Web

The stockpiles -- underpinning obligations to policyholders across the nation -- would drop by 11 percent on average across more than 260 property and casualty insurers in that group, according to its calculations.

— sonali basak, Bloomberg.com, "BlackRock Finds More Risk Assets at Insurers Than '08," 30 Aug. 2017
In the case of nuclear weapons, the nine states that have them — United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea — would have to agree to destroy their stockpiles.

— sharon squassoni, Teen Vogue, "How to Get Rid of Nuclear Weapons," 17 Aug. 2017
While a surprise U.S. strike might be able to eliminate some of these stockpiles, North Korea’s artillery guns are thought to be preloaded with chemical weapons, allowing them to be deployed instantly.

— stuart leavenworth, The Seattle Times, "Arms experts warn N. Korea could unleash retaliatory strike with chemical weapons," 15 Aug. 2017
Your dusty old stockpile of glossy magazines could earn you a pretty penny.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "Time to Cash In, Hoarders: Your Old Magazines Are Actually Worth a Lot on eBay," 11 Aug. 2017
The White Sox lost for the 20th time in 24 games, a stretch in part driven by the trades of seven veterans last month for a stockpile of prospects the Sox hope eventually will complement Moncada.

— colleen kane, chicagotribune.com, "In return to Boston, White Sox rookie Yoan Moncada says trade was 'best for my career'," 3 Aug. 2017
North Korea holds a vast stockpile of chemical weapons as well, and has taken every step to ensure any conflict will exact as much blood as possible.

— saagar enjeti, National Review, "North Korea’s Nukes Are Probably Here to Stay," 31 July 2017
Of course, Bama still has Nick Saban and a stockpile of five-star prospects to sift through in reloading.

— tod palmer, kansascity, "SEC media poll: Alabama picked to win again, Mizzou pegged last in division," 14 July 2017
In the past, the U.S. has refrained from military intervention in the conflict, preferring instead to arm moderate rebel groups and collaborate with Russia to destroy Syria’s chemical-weapons stockpile.

— aria bendix, The Atlantic, "U.S. and Russia Agree to Cease-Fire in Syria," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stockpile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.