plural stalks
1
: a thick or tall stem of a plant
a flower stalk
celery stalks
2
: a thin, upright object or part that supports or connects something
the stalk of a goblet
stalks; stalked; stalking
1
a
: to follow (an animal or person that you are hunting or trying to capture) by moving slowly and quietly
Lions stalked the herd.
a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer
b
: to go through (a place or area) while hunting
This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer.
—often used figurativelyA killer stalks the streets of the city. [=there is a killer somewhere in the city]
a city that is stalked by fear [=a city where people are in a constant state of fear]
2
: to follow, watch, and bother (someone) constantly in a way that is frightening, dangerous, etc.
She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her.
3
always followed by an adverb or a preposition
: to walk in a stiff or proud manner
She angrily stalked out of the room.
Cite this Entry
“Stalk.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/stalk. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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