hoarding

1 of 2

noun (1)

hoard·​ing ˈhȯr-diŋ How to pronounce hoarding (audio)
plural hoardings
1
a
: the practice of collecting or accumulating something (such as money or food)
The hoarding and misuse of resources was uncommon even in times of natural disaster …Tanvi Nagpal
b
: something that is hoarded
usually plural
Inside the net with us was a large brown paper bag, spewing forth the Halloween hoardings of the child in the gorilla suit …John Irving
2
psychology : the compulsion to continually accumulate a variety of items that are often considered useless or worthless by others accompanied by an inability to discard the items without great distress
Hoarding is marked by an overwhelming desire to collect items and an inability to discard things that may seem useless, to such a point that the collections cause stress and start impacting a person's health, career or relationships.Erin Allday
People justify hoarding as curating and recycling, deeming odd objects beautiful and useful.Peter D. Kramer
see also hoarding disorder

hoarding

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural hoardings
1
: a temporary board fence put about a building being erected or repaired

called also hoard

2
British : billboard

Examples of hoarding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The county’s ordinance adds provisions to prevent price hikes on short term vacation rentals and care facilities and prevent hoarding of goods to resell. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025 This would help to crack down on neglect, hoarding and dog fighting. Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025 The store, whose neighbors include Balenciaga, Hermès, Burberry and Roberto Cavalli, is currently behind hoardings and undergoing refurbishment. Samantha Conti, WWD, 5 Mar. 2025 These signs include avoiding each other or keeping their distance, swiping, biting, dilated pupils, flattened ears, hissing, litter box guarding, urinating outside of the litter box, territorial aggression, and toy hoarding. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoarding

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

hourd, hoard hoarding

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hoarding was in 1589

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoarding. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

hoarding

noun
hoard·​ing ˈhȯrd-iŋ How to pronounce hoarding (audio)
: the compulsion to continually accumulate a variety of items that are often considered useless or worthless by others accompanied by an inability to discard the items without great distress
Hoarding is marked by an overwhelming desire to collect items and an inability to discard things that may seem useless, to such a point that the collections cause stress and start impacting a person's health, career or relationships.Erin Allday
People justify hoarding as curating and recycling, deeming odd objects beautiful and useful.Peter D. Kramer
see hoarding disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on hoarding

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!