stockpile

1 of 2

noun

stock·​pile ˈstäk-ˌpī(-ə)l How to pronounce stockpile (audio)
Synonyms of stockpilenext
: 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

stockpile

2 of 2

verb

stockpiled; stockpiling; stockpiles

transitive verb

1
: to place or store in or on a stockpile
2
: to accumulate a stockpile of
a country suspected of stockpiling weapons
stockpiler noun

Examples of stockpile in a Sentence

Noun a stockpile of medical supplies an emergency stockpile of potable water and canned goods in the cellar Verb The government stockpiled vaccines to prepare for a flu epidemic. we should be able to stockpile enough vaccine for the upcoming flu season
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Boogaard shared that Cannabreeze has a 2,000-pound stockpile of hemp that would last the company several years, so the 2026 planting season does not personally affect its 2026 or 2027 product line. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025 As per the draft report, seen by Reuters, China’s nuclear stockpile was in the 600s as of 2024, but the country aims to have over 1,000 warheads before 2030. Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025 Actually, tennis balls can be a useful travel item to have on hand for longer traveling days when muscle tightness, tension, and blood circulation all might start to stockpile and take a toll on your body. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stockpile

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stockpile was in 1872

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stockpile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stockpile. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

stockpile

noun
stock·​pile
ˈstäk-ˌpīl
: an extra supply especially of something necessary accumulated within a country for use during a shortage
stockpile verb

More from Merriam-Webster on stockpile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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