Definition: to count, or to evaluate
Note: Sometimes this is used philosophically (as in, to evaluate one’s life), and sometimes it is used literally (as in, to actually count the number of inventory items sitting on the shelf).
Examples:
On major birthdays, many people take stock of their lives, and ask themselves whether they are headed in the right direction.
Three of our company’s top managers resigned this week. Before we continue the same old strategy, we need to take stock of our business, and decide where we want to go in the future.