stalk

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstȯk 

1

: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part

especially : peduncle

2

a

: the main stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent parts

b

: a part of a plant (such as a petiole or stipe) that supports another

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalkless

ˈstȯk-ləs 

adjective

stalky

ˈstȯ-kē 

adjective

stalk

2 of 3

verb

stalked; stalking; stalks

intransitive verb

1

: to pursue quarry or prey stealthily

2

: to walk stiffly or haughtily

transitive verb

1

: to pursue by stalking

2

: to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry

stalk the woods for deer

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

stalk

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: the act of stalking

2

: a stalking gait

Synonyms

Verb

• chase
• hunt

Examples of stalk in a Sentence

Verb

a movie about a detective being stalked by a killer

This is the time of year when hunters are stalking the woods for deer.

She called the police because her ex-boyfriend was stalking her.

She angrily stalked out of the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The players need to make six trips into the course, retrieving six puzzle pieces that are obstructed by things like mesh nets and stalks of bamboo. —Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024

The stalks on the juvenile Arthropleura resemble those of a crab, which could point to the creature having an amphibious youth before becoming terrestrial in adulthood. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Verb

In the episode, which is a parody of various slasher films, the cast — including Friedle's Eric Matthews, Fishel's Topanga Lawrence, and Strong's Shawn Hunter — is stalked by an unknown killer after being trapped in the school during detention. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Agatha, ever in search of ways to stay alive, promises to deliver Billy at the Road’s end if Rio will stop stalking her every move. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English stalke; akin to Old English stela stalk, support

Verb

Middle English, from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal — more at steal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stalk

• yolk stalk

Kids Definition

stalk

1 of 3 noun

ˈstȯk 

1

: a slender upright object or supporting or connecting structure

the stalk of a goblet

2

: a plant stem especially of a plant that is not woody

stalks of asparagus

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalky

ˈstȯ-kē 

adjective

stalk

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to hunt slowly and quietly

stalk deer

b

: to go through (an area) in search of prey

stalk the woods for deer

2

: to walk in a stiff or proud manner

stalked out of the room

3

: to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

stalker noun

stalk

3 of 3 noun

1

: the act of stalking

2

: a stalking manner of walking

Medical Definition

stalk

noun

ˈstȯk 

: a slender supporting or connecting part : peduncle

the pituitary stalk

stalked

ˈstȯkt 

adjective

stalkless adjective

Legal Definition

stalk

transitive verb

ˈstȯk

: to subject to stalking

intransitive verb

: to engage in stalking

stalker noun