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
Iran rebuilds stockpile of missiles and drones A senior Iranian military official said Iran has begun rebuilding its stockpile of weapons and munitions as the two-week ceasefire nears to expire, state media reported. Azhar Sukri,terri Cullen,spencer Kimball, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026 Proponents of the move have complained for years that Florida’s state playoffs — particularly in football and basketball — don’t have level playing fields because elite programs stockpile transfers. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
Officers arrested two people and seized more than 2,800 boxes of Lego toys stockpiled in a Long Beach home. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 In the fall, voles also stockpile seeds, tubers, rhizomes, and bulbs, says Pierce. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 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 25 Apr. 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

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