stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstä-kiŋ 

1

a

: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg

b

: sock

2

: something resembling a stocking

especially : a ring of distinctive color on the lower part of the leg of an animal

stockinged

ˈstä-kiŋd 

adjective

Phrases

in one's stocking feet

: with the feet in stockings but not shoes

Synonyms

• sock

Examples of stocking in a Sentence

a pair of wool stockings

thick wool stockings designed to be worn with hiking boots

Recent Examples on the Web

The bar is decorated with candy canes, stockings, elves, Santas, reindeer, presents and Christmas trees. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025

The material looks similar to a fishnet stocking, Ammann described — and smells a little fishy too. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025

This may include: Spending several periods of the day elevating your legs above the level of your heart to reduce pressure on veins in the legs Compression bandages and stockings can also help ease swelling in the legs and improve blood flow. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 18 July 2025

First-line treatment can include compression, such as wearing compression stockings or an elastic wrap. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete stock to cover with a stocking

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stocking

• body stocking
• Christmas stocking
• silk stocking
• stocking cap
• stocking filler
• stocking stuffer

Rhymes for stocking

• blocking
• caulking
• chalking
• clocking
• cocking
• docking
• flocking
• gawking
• knocking
• locking
• mocking
• rocking

Kids Definition

stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ 

1

: a close-fitting usually knit covering for the foot and leg

2

: sock entry 1

Medical Definition

stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ 

: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg see elastic stocking