store

1 of 3

verb

stored; storing

transitive verb

1
: lay away, accumulate
store vegetables for winter use
an organism that absorbs and stores DDT
2
: furnish, supply
especially : to stock against a future time
store a ship with provisions
3
: to place or leave in a location (such as a warehouse, library, or computer memory) for preservation or later use or disposal
4
: to provide storage room for : hold
elevators for storing surplus wheat
storable adjective

store

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: something that is stored or kept for future use
b
stores plural : articles (as of food) accumulated for some specific object and drawn upon as needed : stock, supplies
c
: something that is accumulated
d
: a source from which things may be drawn as needed : a reserve fund
2
: storage
usually used with in
when placing eggs in storeDublin Sunday Independent
3
: value, importance
set great store by a partner's opinion
4
: a large quantity, supply, or number : abundance
5
b
chiefly British : memory sense 4
6
: a business establishment where usually diversified goods are kept for retail sale
a grocery store
compare shop

store

3 of 3

adjective

1
or stores : of, relating to, kept in, or used for a store
2
: purchased from a store as opposed to being natural or homemade : manufactured, ready-made
store clothes
store bread
Phrases
in store
: in readiness : in preparation
there's a surprise in store for you

Examples of store in a Sentence

Verb I stored my furniture until I found a new apartment. She stores her jewels in a safe. The wine should be stored at room temperature. The solar panels store energy. They're studying how our brains store memories. Noun I'm going to the store to buy groceries. The stores are always crowded around the holiday season. Adjective preferred homemade bread to store brands
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.
Verb
Ask for explicit details on where your data will be processed and stored, whether the vendor brings in other third parties, like infrastructure or analytics providers, and what controls are in place for cross-border data transfers. Khash Kiani, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 The friend stored the documents in their attic, but the debtor died before retrieving them. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
Noun
The no-frills eatery features a few outdoor tables and ocean views, nestled in a narrow parking lot alongside a liquor store and gift shop. Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025 The product has been available nationwide through Walmart stores and Walmart.com since 2017. Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Adjective
Closures come after two rounds of layoffs The store closures come months after Kroger announced two rounds of layoffs of an unspecified number of non-store workers this spring. Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 29 Nov. 2022 The National Retail Federation expects U.S. online and non-store sales this year to grow as much as 23% from 2020, to roughly $1.13 trillion, the trade group said in June. Angus Loten, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for store

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French estorer to establish, restore, supply, from Latin instaurare to resume, restore

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of store was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Store.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/store. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

store

1 of 3 verb
ˈstō(ə)r How to pronounce store (audio)
ˈstȯ(ə)r
stored; storing
1
: lay away, accumulate
store vegetables for winter use
2
: to provide with what is needed : furnish, supply
store a ship with provisions
3
a
: to deposit in a place (as a warehouse) for safekeeping or disposal
stored my furniture until I found a new apartment
b
: to record information in a device (as a computer)
4
: to provide storage room for : hold
racks for storing basketballs

store

2 of 3 noun
1
a
: something stored
a store of good jokes
b
plural : accumulated supplies (as of food) : stock
a ship's stores
2
: value entry 1 sense 3, importance
a family that set great store by tradition
3
: a place where goods are sold : shop

store

3 of 3 adjective
: purchased from a store : ready-made
store clothes
store bread

More from Merriam-Webster on store

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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