stake

¹ American  

[steyk] / steɪk /

noun

1. a stick or post pointed at one end for driving into the ground as a boundary mark, part of a fence, support for a plant, etc.

   Synonyms:

   pike, picket, pale

2. a post to which a person is bound for execution, usually by burning.

3. the stake, the punishment of death by burning.

   Joan of Arc was sentenced to the stake.

4. one of a number of vertical posts fitting into sockets or staples on the edge of the platform of a truck or other vehicle, as to retain the load.

5. Mormon Church. a division of ecclesiastical territory, consisting of a number of wards presided over by a president and two counselors.

6. sett.

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verb (used with object)

staked, staking

1. to mark with or as if with stakes (often followed by off orout ).

   We staked out the boundaries of the garden.

2. to possess, claim, or reserve a share of (land, profit, glory, etc.) as if by marking or bounding with stakes (usually followed by out oroff ).

   I'm staking out ten percent of the profit for myself.

3. to separate or close off by a barrier of stakes.

4. to support with a stake or stakes, as a plant.

   to stake tomato vines.

5. to tether or secure to a stake, as an animal.

   They staked the goat in the back yard.

6. to fasten with a stake or stakes.

verb phrase

1. stake out

   1. to keep (a suspect) under police surveillance.

   2. to appoint (a police officer) to maintain constant watch over a suspect or place.

idioms

1. pull up stakes, to leave one's job, place of residence, etc.; move.

   They pulled up stakes and went to California.

stake ² American  

[steyk] / steɪk /

noun

1. something that is wagered in a game, race, or contest.

   Synonyms:

   bet, wager

2. a monetary or commercial interest, investment, share, or involvement in something, as in hope of gain.

   I have a big stake in the success of the firm.

3. a personal or emotional concern, interest, involvement, or share.

   Parents have a big stake in their children's happiness.

4. the funds with which a gambler operates.

5. Often stakes a prize, reward, increase in status, etc., in or as if in a contest.

   Synonyms:

   purse, winnings

6. Poker. stakes. the cash values assigned to the various colored chips, various bets, and raises.

   Our stakes are 5, 10, and 25 cents: you can bet out 10 cents on a pair and reraise twice at 25 cents.

7. a grubstake.

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verb (used with object)

staked, staking

1. to risk (something), as upon the result of a game or the occurrence or outcome of any uncertain event, venture, etc..

   He staked his reputation on the success of the invention.

   Synonyms:

   jeopardize, hazard, gamble, bet

2. to furnish (someone) with necessaries or resources, especially money.

   They staked me to a good meal and a train ticket.

idioms

1. at stake, in danger of being lost, as something that has been wagered; critically involved.

stake ¹ British  

/ steɪk /

noun

1. the money or valuables that a player must hazard in order to buy into a gambling game or make a bet

2. an interest, often financial, held in something

   a stake in the company's future

3. (often plural) the money that a player has available for gambling

4. (often plural) a prize in a race, etc, esp one made up of contributions from contestants or owners

5. (plural) horse racing a race in which all owners of competing horses contribute to the prize money

6. informal short for grubstake

7. at risk

   two lives are at stake

8. 1. to increase the amount of money or valuables hazarded in a gambling game

   2. to increase the costs, risks, or considerations involved in taking an action or reaching a conclusion

      the Libyan allegations raised the stakes in the propaganda war between Libya and the United States

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verb

1. to hazard (money, etc) on a result

2. to invest in or support by supplying with money, etc

   to stake a business enterprise

stake ² British  

/ steɪk /

noun

1. a stick or metal bar driven into the ground as a marker, part of a fence, support for a plant, etc

2. one of a number of vertical posts that fit into sockets around a flat truck or railway wagon to hold the load in place

3. a method or the practice of executing a person by binding him to a stake in the centre of a pile of wood that is then set on fire

4. Mormon Church an administrative district consisting of a group of wards under the jurisdiction of a president

5. to leave one's home or temporary resting place and move on

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verb

1. to tie, fasten, or tether with or to a stake

2. to fence or surround with stakes

3. (often foll by out) to lay (a claim) to land, rights, etc

4. to support with a stake

stake More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing stake

• at stake
• burn at the stake
• have a stake in
• pull up stakes

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Etymology

Origin of stake¹

First recorded before before 900; Middle English noun stak(e), stack(e), Old English staca “pin, stake”; cognate with Dutch staak, German Stake, Old Norse -staki (in lȳsistaki “candlestick”); akin to stick ¹; verb derivative of the noun

Origin of stake²

First recorded in 1530–40; origin uncertain

Explanation

A stake is a wooden stick, sharpened on one end and used to mark property lines (or slay a vampire). In the Middle Ages, people would gamble by placing their bets on wooden posts, or stakes. Eventually the bets themselves became known as stakes. Today, you can use the word as a verb to describe any risky endeavor — for example, "Geoffrey staked his sandwich-making reputation on a six-foot hero with salami and pickles." A stake can also be an investment. If you say that "Bill has a stake in the business," it means he’s a part-owner.

Example Sentences

A Norwegian Climate Foundation report, entitled "The Barents Sea at Stake", also highlighted security challenges.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

Appeared in the March 9, 2026, print edition as 'Activist Takes Stake In Lamb Weston'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

The first episode he directed was the show’s second-ever episode, “The Stake Out.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

The BBC understands that Everton has no plans to replace Stake as a main shirt sponsor.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2025

“Just a year. One year. Stake me for a year and let me go. When I come back, I’ll work a year for nothing and pay you back.”

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• award
• interest
• involvement
• prize
• purse