stockpile

1 of 2

noun

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

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

Synonyms of stockpile

Noun

• stash
• hoard

Verb

• store
• stash
• hoard
• accumulate

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

Noun

There used to be a strategic national stockpile in Texas for helium, much like America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Unseasonably mild weather has added to the glut and pushed natural gas stockpiles above the historical five-year average of 3,609 billion cubic feet, the EIA said Thursday. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Yet the organization has stockpiled plenty of starting pitching depth to give itself, at least, a foundation with which to work ahead of the ‘27 campaign. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Ukrainian officials have warned Russia is stockpiling ballistic missiles for more attacks in coming months. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stockpile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

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