English Reference

Word

store

US/ˈstɔɹ/

UK/stˈɔː/

Definitions

01a shop

A1 · Beginner Countable noun American English

n. a place where you can buy goods or services.

n. a retail establishment where merchandise is sold to customers.

“I need to go to the grocery store to buy some milk and bread.”

“The flagship store occupies three floors of the historic building, attracting thousands of tourists every weekend.”

Usage

In British English, 'shop' is more common for small businesses, while 'store' often refers to large department stores.

Synonyms

02a supply or collection

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a large amount of something that is kept for future use.

n. a quantity of something kept available for use as needed.

“The squirrels have a large store of nuts hidden for the winter.”

“The library holds a vast store of information regarding the local history of the county.”

Usage

Often used in the plural form 'stores' when referring to military or emergency supplies.

03to keep for later

A2 · Elementary

v. to put something away in a safe place until you need it.

v. to keep or accumulate something for future use, typically in a designated location.

“You should store your winter clothes in boxes under the bed.”

“The warehouse is designed to store perishable goods at a constant temperature to prevent spoilage.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

04to save digital data

B1 · Intermediate Computing

v. to keep information on a computer or a phone.

v. to record or copy data into a computer's memory or onto a storage device.

“The phone can store thousands of high-quality photos.”

“The system is configured to store user preferences in a local database for faster access during future sessions.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “store” in context.

01. store information

Etymology

From Middle English store, stoure, storre, from Anglo-Norman stor, estore, estorr, estoer, and Old French estour, estor, from Latin īnstaurō.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

store(A2)

Idioms

Domain

Computing

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference