ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stockpile

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈstɑkˌpaɪɫ// UK //stˈɒkpaɪl// stock·pile

n. a large supply of things that you keep in a safe place for future use. People often do this with food, medicine, or fuel during an emergency.

n. a large accumulated reserve of materials or goods, typically kept for use during a period of shortage or emergency.


SIMPLE

The country has a large stockpile of fuel for the winter.

CONTEXTUAL

During the global health crisis, many nations struggled to maintain an adequate stockpile of personal protective equipment for hospital staff.

COMPLEX

The treaty required both nations to significantly reduce their nuclear stockpile as a gesture of goodwill and a step toward long-term regional stability.

Synonyms
Origin

The noun is derived from stock (“supply of anything ready for use”) + pile (“mass of things heaped together”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the contents.

© 2026 English Reference