hoard

[hawrd, hohrd]

noun

1. a supply or accumulation that is hidden or carefully guarded for preservation, future use, etc..

   a vast hoard of silver.

   Synonyms: stock, store, cache, reserve, stockpile

verb (used with object)

1. to accumulate for preservation, future use, etc., in a hidden or carefully guarded place.

   to hoard food during a shortage.

verb (used without object)

1. to accumulate money, food, or the like, in a hidden or carefully guarded place for preservation, future use, etc.

hoard

/ hɔːd /

noun

1. an accumulated store hidden away for future use

2. a cache of ancient coins, treasure, etc

verb

1. to gather or accumulate (a hoard)

Usage

Hoard is sometimes wrongly written where horde is meant: hordes (not hoards ) of tourists

Other Word Forms

• hoarder noun
• unhoarded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoard¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English hord(e), Old English hord; cognate with Old Norse hodd, Old High German hort, Gothic huzd “treasure”; hide ¹, hide ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoard¹

Old English hord; related to Old Norse hodd, Gothic huzd, German Hort, Swedish hydda hut

Example Sentences

He struggled to tackle the house as he couldn't face dealing with sentimental items tied to Lois, such as storybooks she wrote for the children, photos and a hoard of Christmas items she loved.

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She said she believed the theft may have been a part of a coping mechanism and likened herself to a foster child who may hoard items or food as a means of soothing themselves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"This is not just a gentle nudge; it's a bold challenge to a system that has hoarded power for decades."

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Maybe he got what he deserved for a perceived protest against not being paid to represent his country, but either way he was not exactly made to feel welcome by the home hoards.

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For decades, Americans who wanted cane-sugar Coke had to hunt for Mexican imports or hoard the special “Passover” batches that occasionally slipped into stores in the spring.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• accumulation 
• backlog 
• cache 
• nest egg 
• trove 

When To Use

What’s the difference between hoard and horde?

Hoard is a verb meaning to accumulate things and closely guard them, often in a greedy or excessive way, as in Dragons are known for hoarding treasure. It can also be used as a noun to collectively refer to the things that have been accumulated, as in a hoard of treasure. Horde is a noun referring to a large group or mob of people, especially one considered in a negative way, as in I’d rather avoid the hordes of tourists. The word horde is also used in a more specific way to refer to a group of nomads. It is especially associated with the Mongol army of the 1200s (sometimes known as the Golden Horde). Horde can also be a verb, meaning to gather or move in a horde, but this use is much less common.Both words often relate to large groups, but a hoard is an accumulation of items, while a horde is a group of people (or animals).To remember which spelling to use, remember that nomadic hordes sometimes travel on horses. The word hoard, on the other hand, hoards the letter A all for itself.Here’s an example of hoard and horde used correctly in a sentence.Example: A horde of invaders sacked the city and looted the royal treasure hoard. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between hoard and horde.