stockpile

[stok-pahyl]

noun

1. a supply of material, as a pile of gravel in road maintenance.

2. a large supply of some metal, chemical, food, etc., gathered and held in reserve for use during a shortage or during a period of higher prices.

3. a quantity, as of munitions or weapons, accumulated for possible future use.

verb (used with object)

stockpiled, stockpiling 

1. to accumulate (material, goods, or the like) for future use; put or store in a stockpile.

verb (used without object)

stockpiled, stockpiling 

1. to accumulate in a stockpile.

stockpile

/ ˈstɒkˌpaɪl /

verb

1. to acquire and store a large quantity of (something)

noun

1. a large store or supply accumulated for future use

Other Word Forms

• stockpiler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stockpile¹

First recorded in 1915–20; stock + pile ¹

Example Sentences

"I have no food stockpile, not even enough to last a week or two," she added.

From BBC

Immense volumes of the foam are currently stockpiled in all sorts of places, not just at military sites.

From BBC

Something similar happened to 500 metric tons of high-energy food bars stockpiled in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and intended for mothers and children facing malnutrition.

From Salon

Weapons were stockpiled in huge quantities during the conflict and then had to be disposed of, with much just dumped in the sea.

From BBC

But appearances can be deceiving: in fact, this pit is home to a million tonne stockpile containing critical minerals, and Australia's bet on the future.

From BBC

Related Words

• accumulation 
• buildup 
• cache 
• hoard 
• inventory 
• nest egg 
• reserve 
• stash 
• stock 
• surplus