First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1stack
noun \ˈstak\
: a usually neat pile : a group of things that are put one on top of the other
: a large amount of something
: a tall chimney on a factory, ship, etc., for carrying smoke away
Full Definition of STACK
1
: a large usually conical pile (as of hay, straw, or grain in the sheaf) left standing in the field for storage
2
a : an orderly pile or heap b : a large quantity or number
3
: an English unit of measure especially for firewood that is equal to 108 cubic feet
4
a : a number of flues embodied in one structure rising above a roof b : a vertical pipe (as to carry off smoke) c : the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine
5
a : a structure of bookshelves for compact storage of books —usually used in plural b plural : a section of a building housing such structures
6
: a pile of poker chips
7
a : a memory or a section of memory in a computer for temporary storage in which the last item stored is the first retrieved; also : a data structure that simulates a stack <a push-down stack> b : a computer memory consisting of arrays of memory elements stacked one on top of another
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Origin of STACK
Middle English stak, from Old Norse stakkr; akin to Russian stog stack and probably to Old English staca stake
Related to STACK
- Synonyms
- abundance, barrel, basketful, boatload, bucket, bunch, bundle, bushel, carload, chunk, deal, dozen, fistful, gobs, good deal, heap, hundred, lashings (also lashins) [chiefly British], loads, mass, mess, mountain, much, multiplicity, myriad, oodles, pack, passel, peck, pile, plateful, plenitude, plentitude, plenty, pot, potful, profusion, quantity, raft, reams, scads, sheaf, shipload, sight, slew, spate, lot, store, ton, truckload, volume, wad, wealth, yard
Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms
2stack
verb
: to arrange (things) in a stack : to put (things) in a usually neat pile
: to cheat at a card game by arranging (a deck of cards) in a special way
—used to describe a situation in which one person, team, etc., is given an advantage over others often in a way that is unfair
Full Definition of STACK
transitive verb1
a : to arrange in a stack : pile b : to pile in or on <stacked the table with books> <stack the dishwasher>
2
a : to arrange secretly for cheating <stack a deck of cards> b : to arrange or fix so as to make a particular result likely <the odds are stacked against us> <will stack juries to suit themselves — Patrice Horn>
3
a : to assign (an airplane) by radio to a particular altitude and position within a group circling before landing b : to put into a waiting line <another dozen rigs are stacked up and waiting — P. H. Hutchins, Jr.>
4
: compare —used with against <such a crime is nothing when stacked against a murder — Pete Censky>
intransitive verb
: to form a stack
— stack·er noun
See stack defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STACK
14th century
STACK Defined for Kids
1stack
noun \ˈstak\
Definition of STACK for Kids
1
: a neat pile of objects usually one on top of the other
2
: a large number or amount <We've got a stack of bills to pay.>
3
: a large pile (as of hay) usually shaped like a cone
4
5
: a structure with shelves for storing books
2stack
verb
stackedstack·ing
Definition of STACK for Kids
: to arrange in or form a neat pile
Learn More About STACK
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