store
staw
Store (verb) means to keep something in a particular place for future use. Example: “We store our winter coats in the loft during the summer months.”
verb
1
To keep something in a particular place for future use.
"We store our winter coats in the loft during the summer months."
"Store the leftovers in the fridge overnight."
"The files are stored on a secure server."
noun
1
A shop where goods are sold.
"The shoe store on the high street is having a clearance sale."
"Most stores in the village close early on Sundays."
"She popped into the corner store for milk."
How to use store
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo put something aside for later use, or (as a noun) a shop.
UK vs US
American English uses "store" freely for any shop; British English tends to reserve "store" for larger shops (department store) and use "shop" for smaller ones.
Common pairings
store away
grocery store
in store for
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- stores
- Past tense
- stored
- Archaic forms
- storest, storedst, storeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We _____ our winter coats in the loft during the summer months.
Etymology
From Old French estore/estor, ultimately from Latin instaurare, meaning "to renew" or "to set up".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for store
See all rhymes for store →Frequently asked questions
What does “store” mean?
The word “store” means to keep something in a particular place for future use. In plain terms, to put something aside for later use, or (as a noun) a shop.
How do you pronounce “store”?
“Store” is pronounced staw (/stɔɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “store” in a sentence?
Here is “store” used in a sentence: “Store the leftovers in the fridge overnight.”
What part of speech is “store”?
Depending on how it is used, “store” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “store” come from?
The word “store” comes from Latin. From Old French estore/estor, ultimately from Latin instaurare, meaning "to renew" or "to set up".
Is “store” a common word?
“Store” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “store” have?
“Store” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to keep something in a particular place for future use.
What is the difference between 'store' and 'save'?
Both involve keeping something for later, but 'store' stresses placing an item somewhere — 'store the boxes in the attic.' 'Save' stresses holding something back from being used or lost — 'save your money.' You store things to keep them safe and organised; you save them to keep them available.
What is an example of 'store' as a verb?
'We store the winter coats in the loft until it turns cold' shows the verb in action — keeping items in a set place for future use. Other examples: 'The app stores your files in the cloud,' or 'Squirrels store nuts for winter.' The key idea is keeping something ready for later.
What is the difference between 'store' and 'hoard'?
Storing simply means keeping things in a place for future use, and it carries no judgement. Hoarding means gathering and holding far more than you need, often to excess and with a negative tone. All hoarding involves storing, but storing becomes hoarding only when the amount is excessive or compulsive.
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