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

According to the site, wine stocking dropped 8%, and spirits slipped 3.9%. —Louis Biscotti, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Las Damas of Fairbanks Ranch, coordinated by Diane Dale and Vickie Hamilton, stuffed all the stockings for the foster teens. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025

She’s come a long way from the teen who was embarrassed to wear a stocking on her head, Campion says. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025

Both graduated compression stockings and anti-embolism stockings typically require a prescription from a primary care physician or a specialist, if the condition is more severe. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 30 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for stocking

• blocking
• caulking
• chalking
• clocking
• cocking
• docking
• flocking
• gawking
• knocking
• locking
• mocking
• rocking

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