stack

noun

\ ˈstak

Definition of stack

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a large usually conical pile (as of hay, straw, or grain in the sheaf) left standing in the field for storage

2a : 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

4a : 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

5a : 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

7a : 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

stack

verb

stacked; stacking; stacks

Definition of stack (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to arrange in a stack : pile

b : to pile in or on stacked the table with books stack the dishwasher

2a : 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

3a : 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

Other Words from stack Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about stack

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Examples of stack in a Sentence

Noun

He had arranged the letters in stacks. She took a magazine from near the top of the stack.

Verb

She spent the afternoon splitting and stacking firewood. She stacked the plates in the cupboard. He stacked the books on the table. The other players accused him of stacking the deck.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Today, book collectors and scouts are more apt to scan offerings via the Internet, rather than browse the stacks in the flesh. — Peter Rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Who killed Normal Heights' iconic book store? There's a rogue's gallery of suspects," 4 June 2018 Working from a stack of sample tests, Fischman gives examples of the types of math, vocabulary and reasoning questions that defensive tackle Sean Wilson and running backs Dontrell Hilliard and Sherman Badie will face. — Liz Clarke, chicagotribune.com, "'Super agents' rep 75 percent of NFL players. It's a competitive fight to sign the rest.," 20 Apr. 2018 After securing a spot in the Final Four game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Jayhawks were surprised with a huge stack of unreleased Yeezy 500 sneakers to outfit the entire team. — Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "Why Were Kansas Players Wearing Yeezy Sneakers?," 2 Apr. 2018 Forex agents use wheelbarrows to transfer stacks of devalued currency for customers in the money-exchange district of Hargeisa. — Matina Stevis-gridneff, WSJ, "An Isolated Country Runs on Mobile Money," 8 July 2018 Others showed stacks of ammunition and armored vehicles abandoned by the rebels. — Nabih Bulos, latimes.com, "Rebels surrender southern Syrian enclave, handing Assad another major victory," 7 July 2018 In a video post on Williams’ Instagram account, Williams appears to be showing off stacks of cash with two other men. — Brett Clarkson, Sun-Sentinel.com, "XXXTentacion murder suspect was previously held in gun and drug cases," 29 June 2018 To assemble the cake: Spread each wafer with about 1 tablespoon of mint cream, forming about four stacks of six to eight cookies. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "5 recipes to cool things down on hot days," 27 June 2018 Award winning Mexican Architect Frida Escobedo designed this year’s Serpentine Pavillion using stacks of grey roofing tiles. — Vogue, "The Stars Came Out for the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party," 20 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Martin’s office is stacked with books of quotations. — Gillian Mcgoldrick, Philly.com, "In the Pa. Senate, every day starts with a witty ditty," 12 July 2018 The cast is stacked with an array of international actors, no doubt to appeal to a wide global audience. — Katie Walsh, chicagotribune.com, "'Skyscraper' review: Dwayne Johnson shows off his dramatic acting chops," 11 July 2018 In a Softsoap television commercial from 1982, bars of soap from Camay, Ivory, Dial and Dove are stacked upon a royal blue sink counter and shown eroding alongside a pristine bottle of Softsoap. — Tyler Watamanuk, New York Times, "When Did Soap, Once Simple, Get So Complicated?," 11 July 2018 In some instances, arraignment hearing calendars have been so stacked that court has gone into the evenings, including until 10 p.m. one recent Monday. — Kristina Davis, latimes.com, "San Diego federal court begins fast-tracking border-crossing cases. Critics call it 'assembly line justice'," 10 July 2018 At the Guatemalan-Maya Center in Lake Worth, soccer balls, stuffed animals and other toys are stacked on a table — gifts for migrant children being held in South Florida. — Skyler Swisher, Sun-Sentinel.com, "At Guatemalan-Maya Center, fear grips South Florida undocumented immigrants," 9 July 2018 But even they were stacked with Premier League players, too. — Jonathan Clegg, WSJ, "The Premier League’s World Cup Takeover," 8 July 2018 These spindles are stacked with slices of pork and chicken, pressed, seared crisp on the vertical broiler, and shaved to order by owner Ali Kalatzakis with a buzzing, circular electric knife — a spectacle unto itself. — Alex Kiesig, idahostatesman, "'I love this city': Eat your way through the Capital City Public Market," 6 July 2018 This winner is stacked with ham, bacon and chorizo. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "International flavors, down at the corner bar, are an American experience," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.