# stocking

/ˈstɑkɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈɒkɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stocking
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. clothing for the leg

noun · CEFR A2

a thin, tight piece of clothing that covers your foot and most of your leg.

For teachers: a close-fitting, usually knitted or woven garment covering the foot and part of the leg, typically worn by women.

- She wore black stockings with her dress to the formal dinner.
- The fashion industry saw a decline in traditional silk stockings following the widespread introduction of more durable nylon alternatives.

Usage: Usually used in the plural 'stockings' unless referring to a single item.

### 2. Christmas decoration

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'Christmas stocking'.

### 3. filling with goods

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Commonly used in retail or environmental management contexts.

### 4. tree density

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Used primarily in forestry and land management.

## Examples

- She bought a new pair of black stockings for the party.
- The children woke up early to see what treats were hidden inside their Christmas stockings.
- In the mid-twentieth century, the introduction of nylon revolutionized the production of stockings, making them more durable and affordable for the general public.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.