What does hording mean?
Hording means the accumulation and storage of goods, money, or other resources. It can refer either to the practice itself or to the resulting store, as in a report describing the hording of essential supplies during a shortage. In modern English, the word often implies that more is being kept than is required, so it can suggest caution, self-preservation, acquisitiveness, or wasteful excess, depending on the context. Its tone is relatively formal and somewhat old-fashioned; ordinary speakers are more likely to use “hoarding” or “stockpiling.” Hording is also notable for preserving an obsolete base verb, “hord,” from which the familiar modern word “hoard” developed. The term is therefore useful not only as a precise synonym for accumulation but also as an example of how older English vocabulary survives in less common derived forms.
nounThe practice of accumulating goods, money, or other resources; a hoard or stockpile. In modern usage, hording often implies accumulation beyond what is needed or wanted.
- The act of accumulating and storing goods, money, or other resources.
- An accumulated store or stockpile of goods or resources.
"Years of hording supplies left the storeroom filled with provisions no one wanted."
"Her hording of old newspapers gradually filled an entire room."
"The hording of scarce supplies during the crisis drew public criticism."
Plural usage is possible but uncommon, chiefly in formal or historical writing.
"The merchant's secret hordings were discovered after his death."
Hording preserves an older form of English: its base verb, “hord,” survives mainly inside the more familiar word “hoard.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hording come from?
Hording derives from the Middle English noun formed from the Old English verb “hord,” meaning to store up or treasure goods. The underlying family is Germanic, with the modern English cognate “hoard” continuing the same vocabulary. Although “hord” is now obsolete, its derived noun “hording” survives in literary and historical usage.
How hording is actually used
Hording is uncommon in contemporary English and sounds formal, literary, or archaic. Modern speakers generally say “hoarding” or “stockpiling”; “hording” can suggest excessive accumulation and may carry a mildly critical tone.
Easily confused with hording
Hording is the older noun formed from the now-obsolete verb “hord,” whereas “hoarding” is the modern form for the same practice and is also used for a barrier erected around a construction site.