stockpile

1 of 2

noun

stock·​pile ˈstäk-ˌpī(-ə)l 

: a storage pile: such as

a

: a reserve supply of something essential accumulated within a country for use during a shortage

b

: a gradually accumulated reserve of something

avert stockpiles of unsold cars

—Bert Pierce

stockpile

2 of 2

verb

stockpiled; stockpiling; stockpiles

transitive verb

1

: to place or store in or on a stockpile

2

: to accumulate a stockpile of

a country suspected of stockpiling weapons

stockpiler noun

Synonyms

Noun

• cache
• hoard
• stash
• store

Verb

• cache
• hoard
• lay away
• lay by
• lay in
• lay up
• put by
• salt away
• squirrel (away)
• stash
• store
• stow
• treasure

Examples of stockpile in a Sentence

Noun

a stockpile of medical supplies

an emergency stockpile of potable water and canned goods in the cellar

Verb

The government stockpiled vaccines to prepare for a flu epidemic.

we should be able to stockpile enough vaccine for the upcoming flu season

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the immediate aftermath of the Cold War, most experts viewed the primary threat to Russia’s nuclear stockpiles to be a potential terrorist attack—which could even be carried out by up to 12 assailants—rather than armed conflict with another well-armed state. —William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024

North Korea has already provided large stockpiles of munitions to fuel Russia's military as the two countries have strengthened ties in recent months. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024

Verb

Rockets brass has stockpiled assets in anticipation of a trade for a big fish. —Rahat Huq, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Lacey stockpiled $7 million, with 72% of that money coming from police unions political committees. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1872, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stockpile

noun

stock·​pile

ˈstäk-ˌpīl

: an extra supply especially of something necessary accumulated within a country for use during a shortage

stockpile verb