stock·pile
ˈstäk-ˌpī(-ə)l 
: 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
Bert Pierce
stockpiled; stockpiling; stockpiles
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
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
Both Israel and Iran’s stockpiles were also depleted in the aftermath of the 12-day war last June.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2026
Emilie Megnien, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Batteries can fill the gap by collecting and stockpiling electricity to use at another time or sell it back to the grid.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stockpile
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Noun
Could be worth something In meantime, Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu said the city turned to an unlikely source to bolster its stockpile of pennies.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
Both Israel and Iran’s stockpiles were also depleted in the aftermath of the 12-day war last June.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Residents nationwide are stockpiling salt and batteries as heavy snow, dangerous ice, and subzero wind chills below minus 50 degrees threaten travel and power.
—Emilie Megnien, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Batteries can fill the gap by collecting and stockpiling electricity to use at another time or sell it back to the grid.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stockpile
Cite this Entry
“Stockpile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stockpile. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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