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
Synonyms
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 WebJacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
The Czech Republic has been leading a buyers’ group with other E.U. allies and has already secured 300,000 shells for Ukraine as its stockpiles run dangerously low.
—Monika Pronczuk, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Iran reduced the quantity of near weapons-grade uranium by mixing 31.8 kilograms of the stockpile with uranium enriched to a much lower level, around 2%, according to the report.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Japan has the shortest path to developing nuclear weapons, boasting both its own facilities for processing nuclear fuel and what is likely the world’s largest plutonium stockpile.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
China is continuously assessing America’s ability to replenish its stockpiles after supplying weapons to Israel and Ukraine, a critical factor in Beijing's considerations over an invasion of Taiwan, according to a defense expert.
—Ethan Barton, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024
Meta is one of Nvidia’s biggest customers Earlier this year, the social media giant announced plans to grow its stockpile of older Nvidia chips.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
Since there is no money to replenish the equipment and weapons sent, the military would be depleting its stockpiles and potentially risking harm to unit readiness for war.
—Stephen Groves and Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024
With technological advancements, the effectiveness of the Space Force’s mission will be increasingly defined by its ability to design, develop, and deploy software capabilities, rather than adhering to traditional metrics like ammunition stockpiles or the number of mission-capable aircraft.
—Charles Beames, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024
Some of these individuals may have become radicalized and been in position to serve in a logistical function, stockpiling weapons, Mr. Clarke said.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia, Jr. Van Pran was a team captain for a two-time national champion, and stockpiled All-American accolades while in Athens.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024
The Rockies, however, did not sign any veteran relievers, choosing instead to stockpile pitchers via minor-league deals while counting on youngsters such as lefty Lucas Gilbreath and right-handers Victor Vodnik and Gavin Hollowell.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2024
The landfill is also stockpiling about 2 million gallons of this liquid waste in scores of metal storage containers on site.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
New York Community Bancorp touched a 27-year low on Tuesday after slashing its dividend and stockpiling reserves in part because of troubled real estate credit.
—Neil Callanan, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024
O’Neill’s goal is to grow the company and stockpile enough lumber to produce flooring in addition to paneling.
—Jill Draper, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
During his 78 years of life, that frugality allowed Kahn to stockpile $13 million.
—Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2024
Noun
President Biden authorized Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday to provide up to $10 million worth of weapons, ammunition, bullet-proof vests and helmets from a Department of Homeland Security stockpile to the Haiti National Police.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
The Czech Republic has been leading a buyers’ group with other E.U. allies and has already secured 300,000 shells for Ukraine as its stockpiles run dangerously low.
—Monika Pronczuk, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Iran reduced the quantity of near weapons-grade uranium by mixing 31.8 kilograms of the stockpile with uranium enriched to a much lower level, around 2%, according to the report.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Japan has the shortest path to developing nuclear weapons, boasting both its own facilities for processing nuclear fuel and what is likely the world’s largest plutonium stockpile.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
China is continuously assessing America’s ability to replenish its stockpiles after supplying weapons to Israel and Ukraine, a critical factor in Beijing's considerations over an invasion of Taiwan, according to a defense expert.
—Ethan Barton, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024
Meta is one of Nvidia’s biggest customers Earlier this year, the social media giant announced plans to grow its stockpile of older Nvidia chips.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
Since there is no money to replenish the equipment and weapons sent, the military would be depleting its stockpiles and potentially risking harm to unit readiness for war.
—Stephen Groves and Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024
With technological advancements, the effectiveness of the Space Force’s mission will be increasingly defined by its ability to design, develop, and deploy software capabilities, rather than adhering to traditional metrics like ammunition stockpiles or the number of mission-capable aircraft.
—Charles Beames, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Verb
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024
Some of these individuals may have become radicalized and been in position to serve in a logistical function, stockpiling weapons, Mr. Clarke said.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia, Jr. Van Pran was a team captain for a two-time national champion, and stockpiled All-American accolades while in Athens.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024
The Rockies, however, did not sign any veteran relievers, choosing instead to stockpile pitchers via minor-league deals while counting on youngsters such as lefty Lucas Gilbreath and right-handers Victor Vodnik and Gavin Hollowell.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2024
The landfill is also stockpiling about 2 million gallons of this liquid waste in scores of metal storage containers on site.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024
New York Community Bancorp touched a 27-year low on Tuesday after slashing its dividend and stockpiling reserves in part because of troubled real estate credit.
—Neil Callanan, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024
O’Neill’s goal is to grow the company and stockpile enough lumber to produce flooring in addition to paneling.
—Jill Draper, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
During his 78 years of life, that frugality allowed Kahn to stockpile $13 million.
—Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stockpile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Articles Related to stockpile
Dictionary Entries Near stockpile
Cite this Entry
“Stockpile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stockpile. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on stockpile
Nglish: Translation of stockpile for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of stockpile for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share