1
a
: a store or supply accumulated or available
especially
: the inventory of goods of a merchant or manufacturer
b(1)
: the equipment, materials, or supplies of an establishment
(2)
2
a
: the proprietorship element in a corporation usually divided into shares and represented by transferable certificates
b
: a portion of such stock of one or more companies
3
: a supporting framework or structure: such as
a
stocks plural
: a device for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the feet or feet and hands can be locked
c
: a long beam on a field gun forming the third support point in firing
d
stocks plural
: the frame or timbers holding a ship during construction
4
b
: the original (such as a person, race, or language) from which others derive : source
c
: an infraspecific group usually having unity of descent
d(1)
: a related group of languages
(2)
: a language family
5
a
: liquid in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been simmered that is used as a basis for soup, gravy, or sauce
b(1)
: raw material from which something is manufactured
(2)
: paper used for printing
c
: the portion of a pack of cards not distributed to the players at the beginning of a game
6
a
: confidence or faith placed in someone or something
put little stock in his testimony
b(1)
: an estimate or evaluation of something
take stock of the situation
(2)
: the estimation in which someone or something is held
his stock with the electorate remains high—
Newsweek
Newsweek7
a
: the main stem of a plant : trunk
b(1)
: a plant or plant part united with a scion in grafting and supplying mostly underground parts to a graft
(2)
: a plant from which slips or cuttings are taken
8
: the production and presentation of plays by a stock company
10
: the crosspiece of an anchor see anchor illustration
11
a(1)
: the part of a tally formerly given to the creditor in a transaction
(2)
: a debt or fund due (as from a government) for money loaned at interest
also, British
: capital or a debt or fund bearing interest in perpetuity and not ordinarily redeemable as to principal
b
archaic
: a supply of capital : funds
especially
: money or capital invested or available for investment or trading
12
: any of a genus (Matthiola) of Old World herbs or subshrubs of the mustard family with racemes of usually sweet-scented flowers
13
: a wide band or scarf worn about the neck especially by some clergymen
14
a(1)
: a dull, stupid, or lifeless person
(2)
archaic
: something without life or consciousness
b
archaic
: stump
c
archaic
: a log or block of wood
stocked; stocking; stocks
1
: to procure or keep a stock of
our store stocks that brand
2
: to provide with stock or a stock : supply
stock a stream with trout
3
: to fit to or with a stock
4
: to graze (livestock) on land
5
: to make (a domestic animal) pregnant
1
: to put in stock or supplies
stock up on canned goods
2
: to send out new shoots
1
a
: commonly used or brought forward : standard
the stock answer
b
: kept regularly in stock
comes in stock sizes
a stock model
2
: employed in handling, checking, or taking care of the stock of merchandise on hand
a stock clerk
3
a
: kept for breeding purposes : brood
a stock mare
b
: devoted to the breeding and rearing of livestock
a stock farm
c
: used or intended for livestock
a stock train
d
: used in herding livestock
a stock horse
a stock dog
4
: of or relating to a stock company
Synonyms
Examples of stock in a Sentence
Noun
That camera is out of stock.
Do you have any more light bulbs in stock?
They carry a large stock of computer software.
We built up an ample stock of food before the storm.
She always seems to have a fresh stock of funny jokes.
The value of his stocks has soared.
Most of her money is invested in stocks.
Do you own any stock?
Verb
Our store stocks only the finest goods.
Do you stock this item?
The bar is stocked with beer, wine and liquor.
They stocked the shelves in the store with a variety of imported foods.
Adjective
Here are the stock patterns you can choose from.
She gave a stock answer to the reporter's question.
a dull narrative with stock characters
That item is a stock model.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
And while the cuts will surely send stocks surging, as corporations book greater profits, all that does is make people who own stocks that much richer.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
This ensures the right products are stocked at the right time.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Subramaniam Vincent, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Other entertainment players reward their teams with a blend of salary, stock grants, non-stock bonuses and options.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for stock 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Laverde also accused Hahn of improperly withholding information on her share of her husband’s income and stock holdings on her financial disclosure forms.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
And while the cuts will surely send stocks surging, as corporations book greater profits, all that does is make people who own stocks that much richer.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
However, all 48 tabulation centers and the two polling locations are stocked with a backup generator.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
This ensures the right products are stocked at the right time.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Hospitals also have to stock (or de-stock) IUDs depending on the bill.
—Subramaniam Vincent, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Other entertainment players reward their teams with a blend of salary, stock grants, non-stock bonuses and options.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for stock
Dictionary Entries Near stock
Cite this Entry
“Stock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stock. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stock
1 of 3 noun1
a
archaic
: stump entry 1 sense 2
b
archaic
: a log or block of wood
c
archaic
: something without life or consciousness
d
: a dull, stupid, or lifeless person
2
a
plural
: a timber frame with holes to contain the feet or feet and hands of a wrongdoer as public punishment
b
: the part of a crossbow or long gun that is held against the shoulder or in the hand when in use
3
a
: the main stem of a plant : trunk
b
: a plant or plant part that is joined to a living branch or stem and makes up the lower or underground parts in a graft
4
a
: the original (as a human being, race, or language) from which others descend : source
b
5
a
: the equipment or goods of an establishment
b
: farm animals : livestock
6
a
: the ownership element of a corporation divided to give the owners an interest and usually voting power
b
: a portion of such stock
7
: a wide band or scarf worn about the neck especially by some members of the clergy
8
a
: liquid in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been simmered and which is used to make soup, gravy, or sauce
b
9
: confidence placed in someone or something
10
: the production and presentation of plays by a stock company
stock
2 of 3 verb1
: to fit to or with a stock
2
: to provide with or acquire stock or a stock
stock up on food
3
: to get or keep a stock of
a store that stocks only the finest goods
stock
3 of 3 adjective1
: kept regularly in stock
a stock model
2
: commonly used or brought forward : standard
the stock answer
Medical Definition
stock
noun
: a population, colony, or culture of organisms used for scientific research or medical purposes
smallpox virus stocks retained for research into new vaccines and treatments against smallpox
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