stockpile

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈstɑˌkpaɪl/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A large accumulated supply of goods, materials, or resources stored for future use, especially in times of emergency or shortage.; A large supply of weapons, ammunition, or military equipment kept in reserve.; A pile of ore, coal, or other raw material accumulated at a mine or industrial site for processing or transport.
  2. verb
    To accumulate a large supply of goods, materials, or resources for future use, especially in anticipation of a shortage or emergency.; To store or accumulate weapons or military supplies in reserve.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: stockpiles 3rd sing.: stockpiles Past: stockpiled Past part.: stockpiled Pres part.: stockpiling

Collocations

stockpile of weaponsstockpile of foodbuild up a stockpilestockpile resourcesstockpile suppliesamass a stockpile

Derivatives

stockpilerstockpiling

Synonyms

reservehoardcachestoreaccumulationrepository

Antonyms

depletionshortage

Commonly confused

hoard
EN: 'Hoard' carries a negative connotation of selfish or secretive accumulation, while 'stockpile' is more neutral and often implies preparation.
stock
EN: 'Stock' refers to general inventory or supply on hand, while 'stockpile' emphasizes a large accumulated reserve built up deliberately.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember that 'stockpile' is one word (not 'stock pile'), formed from 'stock' + 'pile'.

💬 Examples

  1. The government maintained a stockpile of grain to guard against famine.

  2. The country's nuclear stockpile was reduced under the new treaty.

  3. The stockpile of iron ore at the port was visible from miles away.

  4. Families began to stockpile food and water as the hurricane approached.

  5. The regime was accused of stockpiling chemical weapons in violation of international law.