stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstä-kiŋ 

1

a

: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg

b

: sock

2

: something resembling a stocking

especially : a ring of distinctive color on the lower part of the leg of an animal

stockinged

ˈstä-kiŋd 

adjective

Phrases

in one's stocking feet

: with the feet in stockings but not shoes

Synonyms

• hose
• sock

Examples of stocking in a Sentence

a pair of wool stockings

thick wool stockings designed to be worn with hiking boots

Recent Examples on the Web

Bombas Toddler Waffle Gripper Slipper Bombas Toddler Waffle Gripper Slipper These adorable best-selling Bombas slipper socks for toddlers will look perfect in a stocking this year. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

Sam can’t kick the notion that naughty Charlie is about to get zilch in her stocking, a feeling made all the worse by her keen understanding that her sister isn’t actually bad, just bright and different. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2024

She’d been stripped naked and strangled with her own stockings, with a bite mark on her breast. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

Both Saint Laurent and Julie de Libran paired bow blouses with transparent stockings, skirts, and heels, as well as long skirts. —Paulina Berges, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

obsolete stock to cover with a stocking

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stocking

• body stocking
• Christmas stocking
• silk stocking
• stocking cap
• stocking filler
• stocking stuffer

Kids Definition

stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ 

1

: a close-fitting usually knit covering for the foot and leg

2

: sock entry 1

Medical Definition

stocking

noun

stock·​ing ˈstäk-iŋ 

: a usually knit close-fitting covering for the foot and leg see elastic stocking