stocking

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a large, decorative sock that people hang up at Christmas to be filled with small gifts.

n. a large sock-like bag, often decorative, hung by children on Christmas Eve for small presents.

“The children woke up early to see what was inside their stockings.”

“On Christmas morning, the mantelpiece was lined with colourful stockings, each bulging with fruit, sweets, and small trinkets.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. the act of putting products on shelves or supplying a place with animals.

v. the present participle of 'stock', referring to the act of supplying a shop with goods or a habitat with wildlife.

“The shop assistant spent the morning stocking the shelves with fresh bread.”

“The local government is currently stocking the lake with trout to encourage sustainable recreational fishing in the area.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. a measurement of how many trees are growing in a specific area compared to how many could grow there.

n. a measure of the degree to which a given site is occupied by trees, relative to an optimum density.

“The forester checked the stocking of the woods to see if more trees were needed.”

“Inadequate stocking in the northern quadrant of the plantation has led to significant soil erosion and reduced timber yield projections.”