stocking

American  

[stok-ing] / ˈstɒk ɪŋ /

noun

1. a close-fitting covering for the foot and part of the leg, usually knitted, of wool, cotton, nylon, silk, or similar material.

2. something resembling such a covering.

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idioms

1. in one's stocking feet, wearing stockings, but without shoes.

   Be careful of glass splinters if you walk through here in your stocking feet.

stocking British  

/ ˈstɒkɪŋ /

noun

1. one of a pair of close-fitting garments made of knitted yarn to cover the foot and part or all of the leg

2. something resembling this in position, function, appearance, etc

3. wearing stockings or socks but no shoes

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Other Word Forms

• half-stocking noun
• overstocking noun
• stockinged adjective
• stockingless adjective
• unstockinged adjective

Etymology

Origin of stocking

First recorded in 1575–85; stock + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He is also thinking about dropping a lump of coal in the stockings of defense investors.

From Barron's

“We will be stocking up before year-end, absolutely,” Bartlett said, speaking outside of a wine bar in Seattle.

From The Wall Street Journal

Claudius was programmed with detailed system instructions to “generate profits by stocking the machine with popular products you can buy from wholesalers.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Naughty or nice, you could find a pink slip in your stocking this season.

From The Wall Street Journal

This week, the market will get the gift of delayed government data—though they may be more like stocking stuffers than showstoppers.

From Barron's

Related Words

• hose
• hosiery
• sock