stake

[ steyk ]

/ steɪk /

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noun

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.

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

the stake, the punishment of death by burning: Joan of Arc was sentenced to the stake.

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.

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

sett (def. 2).

verb (used with object), staked, stak·ing.

to mark with or as if with stakes (often followed by off or out): We staked out the boundaries of the garden.

to possess, claim, or reserve a share of (land, profit, glory, etc.) as if by marking or bounding with stakes (usually followed by out or off): I'm staking out ten percent of the profit for myself.

to separate or close off by a barrier of stakes.

to support with a stake or stakes, as a plant: to stake tomato vines.

to tether or secure to a stake, as an animal: They staked the goat in the back yard.

to fasten with a stake or stakes.

Verb Phrases

stake out,

to keep (a suspect) under police surveillance.
to appoint (a police officer) to maintain constant watch over a suspect or place.

OTHER WORDS FOR stake

1 pale, picket, pike.

See synonyms for stake on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about stake

pull up stakes, Informal. to leave one's job, place of residence, etc.; move: They pulled up stakes and went to California.

Origin of stake

First recorded beforebefore 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 stick¹; verb derivative of the noun

Other definitions for stake (2 of 2)

stake²

[ steyk ]

/ steɪk /

noun

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

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.

a personal or emotional concern, interest, involvement, or share: Parents have a big stake in their children's happiness.

the funds with which a gambler operates.

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

stakes. Poker. 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.

a grubstake.

verb (used with object), staked, stak·ing.

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.

to furnish (someone) with necessaries or resources, especially money: They staked me to a good meal and a train ticket.

OTHER WORDS FOR stake

1 wager, bet.

5 winnings, purse.

8 bet, gamble, hazard; jeopardize.

See synonyms for stake on Thesaurus.com

Origin of stake

First recorded in 1530–40; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stake in a sentence

With tens of billions of dollars per year at stake, that ambiguity set off a flurry of lobbying as the Treasury Department set about writing regulations.
Georgia Senator David Perdue Privately Pushed for a Tax Break for Rich Sports Teamowners|by Robert Faturechi and Justin Elliott|November 20, 2020|ProPublica
As someone who’s had giardia and norovirus and picked something up in Peru 15 years ago that may still be hanging out in my intestines, I can tell you that the stakes are high.
The High-Capacity Water Filter You Need for Base Camp|Joe Jackson|November 20, 2020|Outside Online
While Mason is optimistic the parties will reach a settlement, he spoke in court Wednesday to warn them of what was at stake if they don’t.
Boy Scouts must settle 95,000 abuse claims by next summer — or risk running out of cash|Samantha Schmidt|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
As part of the deal, Verizon is acquiring a minority stake in BuzzFeed, which will use the telecom giant’s advertising platform to reach more customers.
BuzzFeed buys HuffPost from Verizon in latest new-media deal|Verne Kopytoff|November 19, 2020|Fortune

So the stakes are clear, and we give the Seahawks the edge with a 58 percent chance to win.
The Indianapolis Colts Finally Built A Defensive Monster|Ty Schalter|November 19, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
With fighter jets, bombers, and nuclear-powered icebreakers, the Vladimir Putin regime is staking its claim in the Arctic.
Russia Preps Its North Pole Invasion|Dave Majumdar|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Russians and Canadians have been the most aggressive in staking their claims—often with competing scientific data.
Russia Preps Its North Pole Invasion|Dave Majumdar|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You have to sway from one foot to another to keep them from staking their claim.
Whatever You Do Someone Will Die. A Short Story About Impossible Choices in Iraq|Nathan Bradley Bethea|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still, like any gold rush, several investors are staking their claim.
Should Baby Boomers Invest in Bitcoin?|Sarah Kunst|January 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Reince is threatening that and he is for it, and he is staking his chairmanship on it.
The GOP's Primary Shakeup Plot|David Freedlander|November 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And you know that father is incapable of staking half or even two thirds of his little all against any proposition he believes in.
The Beauty|Mrs. Wilson Woodrow
Fedora sauntered slowly around the rooms, leaning over and staking a gold plaque here and there.
Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo|E. Phillips Oppenheim
He was not staking large sums, but he was losing about three out of four times that he put down his money.
Down the Rhine|Oliver Optic
The staking of lots on the tide flats at night, when the tide was out, seemed to be a staple industry.
Ox-Team Days on the Oregon Trail|Ezra Meeker
He took up a position at the end of the table nearest the door, and apparently watched the game before staking.
The Grell Mystery|Frank Froest

British Dictionary definitions for stake (1 of 2)

stake¹

/ (steɪk) /

noun

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

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

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

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

pull up stakes to leave one's home or temporary resting place and move on

verb (tr)

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

(often foll by out or off) to fence or surround with stakes

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

to support with a stake

Word Origin for stake

Old English staca pin; related to Old Frisian staka, Old High German stehho, Old Norse stjaki; see stick 1

British Dictionary definitions for stake (2 of 2)

stake²

/ (steɪk) /

noun

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

an interest, often financial, held in somethinga stake in the company's future

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

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

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

US and Canadian informal short for grubstake (def. 1)

at stake at risktwo lives are at stake

raise the stakes

to increase the amount of money or valuables hazarded in a gambling game
to increase the costs, risks, or considerations involved in taking an action or reaching a conclusionthe Libyan allegations raised the stakes in the propaganda war between Libya and the United States

verb (tr)

to hazard (money, etc) on a result

to invest in or support by supplying with money, etcto stake a business enterprise

Word Origin for stake

C16: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with stake

stake

In addition to the idioms beginning with stake

stake a claim
stake out

also see:

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

stake

OTHER WORDS FOR stake

Idioms about stake

Origin of stake

Other definitions for stake (2 of 2)

OTHER WORDS FOR stake

Origin of stake

Words related to stake

How to use stake in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for stake (1 of 2)

Word Origin for stake

British Dictionary definitions for stake (2 of 2)

Word Origin for stake

Other Idioms and Phrases with stake