close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
"She pulled on her new silk stockings before heading out for dinner."
the activity of supplying a stock of something
"he supervised the stocking of the stream with trout"
A soft garment, usually knit or woven, worn on the foot and lower leg under shoes or other footwear.
"The forester calculated a stocking level of 0.85, indicating the forest was slightly underpopulated compared to its optimal capacity."
A ratio of the actual density of trees in an area to the ideal density that would make the fullest use of the land.
In plain English: A stocking is a long piece of fabric that covers your foot and leg up to your knee or waist, usually worn under other clothes for warmth.
"I pulled on my wool stocking before going outside in the cold wind."
Usage: Use "stocking" to refer specifically to a knitted hosiery item for the legs rather than general socks that cover only part of the foot. This term distinguishes garments designed to reach above the ankle from shorter, everyday sock varieties.
present participle of stock
"The stocking of the shelves was completed just before the holiday rush."
In plain English: To stock something means to fill it with supplies so there is enough for later use.
"The company is stocking shelves with fresh produce for the upcoming holiday rush."
A surname.
"The Stocking family has lived in the village for generations."
The word stocking comes from the Old English verb stoccan, which meant to cover something with a protective layer like straw or wool. Over time, this term evolved into modern usage for the legwear we know today.