stockpile

American  

[stok-pahyl] / ˈstɒkˌpaɪl /

noun

1. a supply of material, as a pile of gravel in road maintenance.

2. a large supply of some metal, chemical, food, etc., gathered and held in reserve for use during a shortage or during a period of higher prices.

3. a quantity, as of munitions or weapons, accumulated for possible future use.

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verb (used with object)

stockpiled, stockpiling

1. to accumulate (material, goods, or the like) for future use; put or store in a stockpile.

verb (used without object)

stockpiled, stockpiling

1. to accumulate in a stockpile.

stockpile British  

/ ˈstɒkˌpaɪl /

verb

1. to acquire and store a large quantity of (something)

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noun

1. a large store or supply accumulated for future use

Other Word Forms

• stockpiler noun

Etymology

Origin of stockpile

First recorded in 1915–20; stock + pile ¹

Example Sentences

World uranium production has been lower than demand for several decades, and utilities are making up the difference mostly by drawing on stockpiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also has significant stockpiles of short-range missiles capable of reaching U.S. bases in the Gulf and ships in the Strait of Hormuz, along with significant stockpiles of antiship cruise missiles and torpedo boats.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet U.S. officials are again mired in discussions about nuclear enrichment, stockpiled uranium and regional consortia.

From The Wall Street Journal

Washington has previously indicated it wants to discuss other issues as well, such as Iran's missile stockpile.

From BBC

Graham Kerr said he anticipates the government-led stockpile—announced earlier this month and called Project Vault—will prioritize metals that have opaque markets and need price support to underpin new projects.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accumulation
• buildup
• cache
• hoard
• inventory
• nest egg
• reserve
• stash
• stock
• surplus