stocking

American  

[stok-ing] / ˈstɒk ɪŋ /

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.

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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.

stocking British  

/ 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. wearing stockings or socks but no shoes

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Other Word Forms

• half-stocking noun
• overstocking noun
• stockinged adjective
• stockingless adjective
• unstockinged adjective

Etymology

Origin of stocking

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

Example Sentences

She said festive items were required this year, such as Christmas cake, cranberry sauce, gravy, and chocolate coins for stockings, as well as essentials such as toilet roll, toothbrushes and deodorant.

From BBC

Curtains that once graced the windows of a royal retreat have been turned into Christmas stockings to be auctioned for charity.

From BBC

Companies boosted imports in July to beat pending tariff increases, stocking up earlier than usual for the year-end holiday shopping season.

From MarketWatch

"I insist the children have coal in their Christmas stockings, which is a luxury item in Wales," he joked.

From BBC

The former is saving the bare minimum to quit your job, while the latter is stocking up as much money as you possibly can before you leave the workforce.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• hose
• hosiery
• sock