STOCK | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English stoc(c) ‘trunk, block of wood, post’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stok and German Stock ‘stick’. The notion ‘store, fund’ (stock (sense 1 of the noun and stock sense 2 of the noun)) arose in late Middle English and is of obscure origin, perhaps expressing ‘growth from a central stem’ or ‘firm foundation’

the goods or merchandise kept on the premises of a shop or warehouse and available for sale or distribution

goods or merchandise kept on premises of shop or warehouse

• the store has a very low turnover of stock
• buy now, while stocks last!
• stock shortages

the capital raised by a company or corporation through the issue and subscription of shares

capital raised by company or corporation through issue and subscription of shares

• between 1982 and 1986 the value of the company's stock rose by 86%

liquid made by cooking bones, meat, fish, or vegetables slowly in water, used as a basis for the preparation of soup, gravy, or sauces

liquid made by cooking bones, meat, fish, or vegetables slowly in water

• a pint of chicken stock

a person's ancestry or line of descent

person's ancestry or line of descent

• her mother was of French stock

the trunk or woody stem of a living tree or shrub, especially one into which a graft (scion) is inserted.

trunk of living tree

a herbaceous European plant that is cultivated for its fragrant lilac, pink, or white flowers.

herbaceous European plant that is cultivated for its fragrant lilac, pink, or white flowers

an instrument of punishment consisting of an adjustable wooden structure with holes for securing a person's feet and hands, in which criminals were locked and exposed to public ridicule or assault.

instrument of punishment consisting of adjustable wooden structure with holes for securing person's feet and hands

the part of a rifle or other firearm to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, held against one's shoulder when firing the gun.

part of rifle or other firearm to which barrel and firing mechanism are attached

a band of white material tied like a cravat and worn as a part of formal horse-riding dress.

band of white material tied like cravat

a frame used to support a ship or boat out of water, especially when under construction.

frame used to support ship or boat out of water

(of a product or type of product) usually kept in stock and thus regularly available for sale

(of product or type of product) usually kept in stock and thus regularly available for sale

• 25 per cent off stock items

(of a phrase or expression) so regularly used as to be automatic or hackneyed

so regularly used as to be automatic or hackneyed

• she faltered momentarily and then resorted to the teenager's favourite stock response ‘whatever’

have or keep a supply of (a particular product or type or product) available for sale

have or keep supply of available for sale

• most supermarkets now stock a range of organic produce

fit (a rifle or other firearm) with a stock

fit rifle or other firearm with stock

• it was a fine gun which he forged, stocked, and completed himself