stockpile

American  

[stok-pahyl] / ˈstɒkˌpaɪl /

noun

1. a supply of material, as a pile of gravel in road maintenance.

2. a large supply of some metal, chemical, food, etc., gathered and held in reserve for use during a shortage or during a period of higher prices.

3. a quantity, as of munitions or weapons, accumulated for possible future use.

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verb (used with object)

stockpiled, stockpiling

1. to accumulate (material, goods, or the like) for future use; put or store in a stockpile.

verb (used without object)

stockpiled, stockpiling

1. to accumulate in a stockpile.

stockpile British  

/ ˈstɒkˌpaɪl /

verb

1. to acquire and store a large quantity of (something)

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noun

1. a large store or supply accumulated for future use

Other Word Forms

• stockpiler noun

Etymology

Origin of stockpile

First recorded in 1915–20; stock + pile ¹

Example Sentences

Japan depends on the Middle East for 95 percent of its oil imports and has had to dip into strategic stockpiles to temper the impact of rising fuel prices since the start of the war.

From Barron's

China, the biggest importer of crude oil in the world, has enough stockpiled to get it through the next few months.

From BBC

The Emirates also has surveillance drones and a stockpile of U.S.-supplied bombs and short-range missiles that could help ease U.S. and Israeli shortages.

From The Wall Street Journal

But he appeared to play down the significance of the stockpile, pointing to the damage caused in US-Israeli strikes last June.

From BBC

While Asia has borne the brunt of the effect to date, it is coming to nations with bigger stockpiles of oil that have been able to absorb the shock thus far.

From Barron's

Related Words

• accumulation
• buildup
• cache
• hoard
• inventory
• nest egg
• reserve
• stash
• stock
• surplus