stockpile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stockpile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of accumulating or gathering a large quantity of something, often for future use or in preparation for a shortage. Example: "In anticipation of the storm, many residents decided to stockpile essential supplies like food and water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Production at the Arak heavy-water reactor ceases and Iran depletes much of its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium.

The Guardian

Under the plans, ministers agreed to keep a permanent stockpile of at least six months' supply of coal, increase coal imports, build more oil-burn, nuclear and gas-fired power stations and encourage development of more opencast mines.

The Guardian

But the violence in Syria has only got worse, and there are continuing concerns that the Assad regime has continued to conceal its stockpile of chemical weapons.

The Guardian

The top-end scenario is a framework agreement that outlines the main points of a deal - how much uranium enrichment Iran is allowed to carry out, how big an enriched uranium stockpile it is permitted to keep and what it will do with the remainder; how long an agreement should last, and when and how sanctions should be lifted, and so on.

The Guardian

A spokesman for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which has monitored Syria dismantling its chemical weapons stockpile, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Guardian

Also in the east of the city, loyalists hurled more than 50 petrol bombs at the RUC, and police found a stockpile of 1,200 milk bottles, used to make petrol bombs, hidden on a nearby housing estate.

The Guardian

As a precautionary measure, America's government is planning to stockpile 300m doses of smallpox vaccine: enough for every American citizen.However, using biological or chemical weapons as agents of mass destruction still looks very difficult.

The Economist

Greg Jones of the Non-Proliferation Policy Education Centre, near Washington, thinks Iran could already produce enough WGU for a single bomb in just six weeks; and in eight weeks even if it were to agree to send its existing stockpile of 20%-enriched uranium out of the country, a likely condition of any deal.

The Economist

That means forcing it to stop enriching uranium beyond 20% (and shipping its existing stockpile of material above that level to a third party).

The Economist

In recent months Iran has signalled a willingness to buy time by diverting some of its stockpile of 20%-enriched uranium into fuel for a small research reactor in Tehran used to produce medical isotopes.

The Economist

Even though Iran is managing its MEU stockpile carefully to keep the negotiations going and preserve ambiguity, on any reckoning it is likely to be well over the line set by Israel before the end of this year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stockpile" to clearly convey the idea of accumulating a significant quantity of something, especially for future use or in anticipation of need. For example, "The company decided to stockpile raw materials due to concerns about potential supply chain disruptions."

Common error

Avoid using "stockpile" to describe small or insignificant accumulations. The term implies a substantial quantity being stored for a specific purpose, not just a few items.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stockpile" is as a noun, referring to a supply of something accumulated for future use. Ludwig's examples often show it describing reserves of materials like uranium or coal. It can also function as a verb, meaning to accumulate such a supply, as suggested by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stockpile" functions as a noun or verb denoting the accumulation of a large supply of something, typically for future use. It is considered grammatically correct and is very common in news, business, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is frequently used to describe reserves of materials. When writing, it's best to use "stockpile" when referring to a significant amount, and consider alternatives like "accumulate" or "reserve" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep in reserve

Implies retaining something for potential use in emergencies.

accumulate a reserve

Focuses on building up a supply for future contingencies.

build up a supply

Emphasizes the gradual process of amassing a quantity.

lay in a store

Focuses on preparing for future needs by gathering provisions.

amass a collection

Highlights the gathering of items, often implying variety.

put away for future use

Emphasizes the intention of preserving something for later.

create an inventory

Suggests a systematic listing and organization of stored items.

set aside resources

Highlights the allocation of means for a specific purpose.

establish a hoard

Implies a secret and potentially excessive accumulation.

garner a surplus

Indicates the accumulation of excess beyond immediate needs.

FAQs

How can I use "stockpile" in a sentence?

You can use "stockpile" to describe the act of accumulating a large quantity of something. For example: "The government decided to "stockpile" essential medicines in case of a pandemic."

What's a good alternative to "stockpile"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "stockpile" include "accumulate", "reserve", or "store".

Is it correct to say "stockpile of knowledge"?

While technically acceptable, "stockpile" typically refers to physical goods. For abstract concepts like knowledge, consider using "a wealth of knowledge" or "a vast store of knowledge".

What is the difference between "stockpile" and "hoard"?

"Stockpile" usually implies a planned accumulation for a specific purpose, while "hoard" often suggests a secretive or excessive accumulation, sometimes driven by compulsion.