stock

1 of 3

noun

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
b(1)
: the wooden part by which a shoulder arm is held during firing
(2)
: the butt of an implement (such as a whip or fishing rod)
(3)
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
a(1)
: the descendants of one individual : family, lineage
of European stock
(2)
: a compound organism
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 highNewsweek
7
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
9
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

stock

2 of 3

verb

stocked; stocking; stocks

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
: to put in stock or supplies
stock up on canned goods
2
: to send out new shoots

stock

3 of 3

adjective

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
Phrases
in stock
: on hand : in the store and ready for delivery
out of stock
: having no more on hand : completely sold out

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
Noun
Several real estate companies saw their stock prices plummet following news of the $418 million settlement the National Association of Realtors reached last week over commission bundling and inflating, namely Redfin. Alena Botros, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 Fears about an antitrust crackdown on Apple's business model haven't just contributed to the drop in the company's stock price. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2024 Digital World Acquisition’s stock price jumped about 4 percent following news of the vote. William Turton, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024 The company can begin trading as a public company, with the stock symbol DJT on Nasdaq, as early as next week. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 Beyond’s stock prices were in freefall throughout 2022 and sank by nearly 83% over the past two years. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024 Digital World’s stock price plunged more than 13 percent Friday, to just under $37. Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 According to Binky Chadha, an equity analyst at Deutsche Bank who predicted the stock rally last year while many were still forecasting economic turbulence, investors’ expectation for where rates will end the year is now the same level that was implied by futures markets in September. Joe Rennison, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Among the points cited: Disney’s board has authorized $3 billion in stock repurchases in fiscal year 2024 and increased the cash dividend to shareholders to 45 cents/share payable in July (up 50% from the January dividend). Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
Since the plants come from many diverse locations, a garden center is never fully stocked. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 23 Mar. 2024 Any lockup change or waiver will be decided by the post-merger company’s board, which will be stocked with Trump allies, an SEC filing shows. Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Those funds have been used to finance 15 opioid projects with the county's Behavioral Health Services, including the installation of harm reduction vending machines — stocked with free supplies including fentanyl testing strips, Narcan and gun locks — across the county. Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 Plus, the brand is stocked with the most reliable hiking pants to carry into the season, as seen in the Women’s Ripstop Pants which are an impressive $49 this weekend. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2024 Separately, many pharmacies already decline to stock buprenorphine. Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 The three partners reached out to former art connections and stocked the space with everything from records sold through a company owned by one of their bartenders to ceramics, plants and bar kits. Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Within its small, high-ceilinged space, wooden cabinets are stocked with shoe creams by the Swedish maker Paul Brunngard, eco-friendly stain removers from Britain’s Clothes Surgeon, and shapely beechwood clothes hangers made by Japan’s Nakata Hanger. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 Amazon is absolutely stocked with on-sale and budget-friendly men's and women's sweaters that’ll keep you cozy during crisp morning walks, unsuspectingly cold flights, and everywhere in between. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 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 Bob Chapek’s compensation increased to $32.5 million during his second year as Walt Disney Co.'s chief executive, the company said in a Wednesday regulatory filing, as the Burbank entertainment colossus returned to doling out non-stock bonuses to its top leaders. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2022 That super-stock Dodge was, too. Frank Markus, Car and Driver, 6 Aug. 2020 And the reassuringly stock characters require no special actorly finesse to bring to life. Ben Brantley, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2020 Anne Carpenter, an owner of an Ace Hardware store in Berkeley, said the retailer doesn’t usually stock air conditioners. Melia Russell, SFChronicle.com, 11 June 2019 The Red Branch production directed by Stephanie Lynn Williams features an endearing cast whose performances make potentially stock characters spring to life. Mike Giuliano, Columbia Flier, 23 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stok, from Old English stocc; akin to Old High German stoc stick

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 14b

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of stock was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stock

Cite this Entry

“Stock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stock. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stock

1 of 3 noun
1
a
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
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
9
: confidence placed in someone or something
10
: the production and presentation of plays by a stock company

stock

2 of 3 verb
1
: 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 adjective
1
: 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

Legal Definition

stock

noun
1
a
: the equipment, materials, or supplies of a business
b
: a store or supply accumulated
especially : the inventory of the goods of a merchant or manufacturer
2
: the ownership element in a corporation usually divided into shares and represented by transferable certificates
also : the certificate evidencing ownership of one or more shares of stock
capital stock
: the stock that a corporation may issue under its charter including both common and preferred stock
: the outstanding shares of a joint stock company considered as an aggregate
common stock
: a class of stock whose holders share in company profits (as through dividends) on a pro rata basis, may vote for directors and on important matters such as mergers, and may have limited access to information not publicly available
cumulative preferred stock
: preferred stock whose holders are entitled to the payment of cumulative dividends as well as current dividends before common stockholders are paid
growth stock
: stock issued by a growth company
margin stock
: stock that may be purchased in a margin account
no-par value stock
: stock issued with no par value which may be carried for corporate accounting purposes as part of the capital stock or as part of the capital surplus to the extent allowed by law

called also no-par stock

penny stock
: the stock of a small company not listed on a major exchange and traditionally selling at less than a dollar a share
preferred stock
: a class of corporate stock whose holders are guaranteed payment of dividends and a share of asset distribution before the holders of common stock but are usually denied voting rights
Treasury stock
: stock that is reacquired and held by the issuing company (as to increase the market value of traded shares)
voting stock
: stock (as common stock) entitling the holder to vote in matters of corporate governance
watered stock
: stock issued with a par value greater than the value of the underlying assets

More from Merriam-Webster on stock

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