What does stocking mean?
A stocking is a close-fitting garment covering the foot and lower leg, traditionally knitted or woven and worn with trousers, formal clothes, or uniforms. In contemporary use, the word also refers to a Christmas stocking hung by a fireplace for small gifts, often personalised with a name. The related verb "stocking" means supplying a shop, display, shelf, or pantry with goods, as in a supermarket stocking its shelves before a busy period. The noun has a traditional and somewhat formal character, especially in British English, but it is still widely used when discussing historical dress, hosiery, seasonal customs, or specific garments such as long stockings. Compared with the more general word "sock," a stocking is usually longer and associated with elegant or formal clothing. Together, the noun and verb reflect the word's broader connection with supplies: the garment historically developed from materials associated with making and using stock, while the verb describes filling a place with merchandise.
A close-fitting knitted or woven covering for the foot and lower leg, traditionally worn with formal clothing; also a Christmas stocking used to hold presents.
"She folded the woollen stockings before putting them in the drawer."
In British English, this can sound somewhat old-fashioned or formal outside references to clothing, Christmas customs, and historical dress.
To fill a shop, shelf, display, pantry, or other place with merchandise or supplies.
"The convenience store is stocking shelves with food and household goods."
Usually used with a place or surface being supplied, such as "stocking the shelves" or "stocking a pantry."
The plural is used for individual garments, especially pairs of stockings or several Christmas stockings.
"The children hung their stockings beside the fireplace."
Before socks became everyday clothing, stockings were a visible sign of respectability, often requiring a suspender to hold them up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stocking come from?
The word "stocking" derives from "stock," meaning a length or piece of fabric, combined with the suffix "-ing." The garment sense developed from the idea of a covering made from stock fabric. The verb meaning to fill a shop or shelves with goods comes from the older sense of providing a place with stock or supplies. Related forms such as "stockpile" and "stocky" preserve the older English sense of stock or a foundation.
How stocking is actually used
As a noun, "stocking" is traditional and somewhat formal in British English, though it remains common in descriptions of clothing, Christmas traditions, and historical dress. As a verb, it is normally used with shelves, a shop, a display, or other places that receive merchandise.
Easily confused with stocking
A stocking is a garment worn on the foot and lower leg, whereas a stock is a general supply of goods or an ancestral line.
A stocking usually extends over the calf and is traditionally worn with formal clothing, while a sock is generally shorter and worn more casually.