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
Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The giant shrinks, and all that grows is the world’s stockpile of malice.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Barbara Hoare, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Florida’s pipeline to college basketball and the NBA, fueled in large part by Montverde Academy, has expanded as more independent programs stockpile elite players with NIL deals and look more like professional teams than high school squads.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stockpile
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Noun
There are limits to the stockpiles of these most sophisticated weapons available for Ukraine to defend itself, and concerns mount that Ukraine will soon suffer from reduced supplies of weapons.
—Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The giant shrinks, and all that grows is the world’s stockpile of malice.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
That an insurer can award eight-figure paydays and stockpile vast reserves while households absorb devastating premium hikes is indefensible.
—Barbara Hoare, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Florida’s pipeline to college basketball and the NBA, fueled in large part by Montverde Academy, has expanded as more independent programs stockpile elite players with NIL deals and look more like professional teams than high school squads.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 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 27 Mar. 2026.
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