stockpile

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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

See stockpile defined for English-language learners

See stockpile defined for kids

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.

First Known Use of stockpile

1872

stockpile Synonyms

Synonyms

cache, stash, hoard, store

Related Words

coffers, deposit, funds, nest egg, savings, sinking fund, treasure; inventory, pool, reserve, reservoir, stock; provisions, resources; accumulation, assemblage, collection, gathering, harvest; repertory

stockpile

verb

Definition of stockpile

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

See stockpile defined for English-language learners

Examples of stockpile in a Sentence

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 of stockpile from the Web

The Bills are stockpiling drafts picks for a reason.

— jeff mclane, Philly.com, "Eagles vs. Bills: What did we learn?," 18 Aug. 2017
China African park rangers who protect elephants gathered in Hong Kong to insist that the region ban all ivory sales and confiscate stockpiled supplies without reimbursing vendors.

— leslie nemo, Scientific American, "Quick Hits," 24 July 2017
By Tuesday, the township had stockpiled several thousand extra bags for residents to use.

— robert mccoppin, McHenry County, "Local DJ credited with rallying volunteers to fill sandbags, fight floods," 19 July 2017
Also Tuesday, the Walker campaign made clear that the governor would be a formidable opponent who could draw on more than $5 million in cash already stockpiled for next year's race.

— patrick marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Democratic businessman Andy Gronik to challenge Gov. Scott Walker," 11 July 2017
Dunne, who stockpiles materials, used a 16-foot-long python skin for the Viper's breastplate.

— daniel d’addario, Time, "Game of Thrones’ Weapons Master on Season 7: 'We Have a Lot More Armies’," 7 July 2017
Unless a team has a cheat code like LeBron James or Gregg Popovich on hand, the only way to get there is by stockpiling All-Stars.

— nathaniel friedman, GQ, "NBA Free Agency 2017: The Golden State Warriors Ripple Effect Is Reshaping the Whole League," 6 July 2017
Smrz, a Chicago native who moved into his apartment at 800 Tower City in March, quickly designed it with knick-knacks his mother, Kathy Mosley, stockpiled over the years with her furniture business.

— madeleine winer, The Courier-Journal, "Old meets new in this bachelor pad with skyline views of Louisville," 6 July 2017
Instead, the couple was as arrested at her family's Caracas apartment by Venezuelan police who alleged Holt was stockpiling weapons and suggested he was linked to unspecified attempts by the U.S. government to undermine Maduro's government.

— brady mccombs and joshua goodman, chicagotribune.com, "1 year later, Utah man stuck in Venezuela jail amid unrest," 30 June 2017

First Known Use of stockpile

1921

stockpile Synonyms

Synonyms

cache, lay away, lay by, lay in, lay up, put by, salt away, squirrel (away), stash, hoard, store, stow, treasure

Related Words

accumulate, acquire, amass, assemble, collect, concentrate, garner, gather, pick up, round up, scrape (together); heap, pile, stack; conserve, husband, preserve; bank, coffer, deposit, hold, keep, reserve, retain, save, set by, stock, withhold; bury, conceal, ensconce, secrete

Near Antonyms

cast, discard, ditch, dump, fling (off or away), jettison, throw away, throw out, unload; consume, squander, use up, waste; hand out, hand over, relinquish, surrender; blow, dissipate, fritter (away), lavish, misspend, run through, spend; deplete, exhaust, expend, impoverish; dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter

STOCKPILE Defined for English Language Learners

stockpile

play

noun

Definition of stockpile for English Language Learners

: a large supply of something that is kept for future use

stockpile

verb

Definition of stockpile for English Language Learners

: to get and keep a large supply of (something) for future use

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stockpile

Definition of stockpile

stockpiler

Examples of stockpile in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stockpile from the Web

First Known Use of stockpile

stockpile Synonyms

Synonyms

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STOCKPILE Defined for English Language Learners

stockpile

Definition of stockpile for English Language Learners

stockpile

Definition of stockpile for English Language Learners

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