stocking

[ stok-ing ]

noun

1. a close-fitting covering for the foot and part of the leg, usually knitted, of wool, cotton, nylon, silk, or similar material.
2. something resembling such a covering.

stocking

/ ˈstɒkɪŋ /

noun

1. one of a pair of close-fitting garments made of knitted yarn to cover the foot and part or all of the leg
2. something resembling this in position, function, appearance, etc
3. in one's stocking feet or in one's stockinged feet
   wearing stockings or socks but no shoes

Other Words From

• stockinged adjective
• stocking·less adjective
• half-stocking noun
• over·stocking noun
• un·stockinged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stocking¹

First recorded in 1575–85; stock + -ing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stocking¹

C16: from dialect stock stocking + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in one's stocking feet, wearing stockings, but without shoes:

   Be careful of glass splinters if you walk through here in your stocking feet.

Example Sentences

I would never tell my mom, but I would wear those super big, long ’70s dresses and under, a full set: garter, stockings, corset.

From Los Angeles Times

The gift suggestions here all have two things in common: They’re small enough to stow in a stocking, and they give off serious big California energy.

From Los Angeles Times

Ain’t no mountain high enough to forgo a snack while hiking — and these specialty items make great gourmet stocking stuffers.

From Los Angeles Times

At that price, you can fill the holiday stocking of every gardener on your list, or add a pair to a gift basket for a beginning gardener.

From Los Angeles Times

"We realised that we had to diversify and start stocking those products for our customers."

From BBC

Related Words

• hose
• hosiery
• sock