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

Even though prices may fall initially, they’re widely expected to bounce back once demand rises again — and particularly when emergency stockpiles get refilled. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and energy stockpiles are drained, experts fear there will be more pain to come. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 June 2026

Verb

The Vikings stockpiled their depth at tackle with Van Demark and Tiernan to ensure the drop-off won’t torpedo the offense. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 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