stake

1 of 2

noun

ˈstāk 

1

: a pointed piece of wood or other material driven or to be driven into the ground as a marker or support

2

a

: a post to which a person is bound for execution by burning

b

: execution by burning at a stake

3

a

: something that is staked for gain or loss

b

: the prize in a contest

c

: an interest or share in an undertaking or enterprise

4

: a Mormon territorial jurisdiction comprising a group of wards

5

: grubstake

6

: stakes race

—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

stake

2 of 2

verb

staked; staking

transitive verb

1

: to mark the limits of by or as if by stakes

2

: to tether to a stake

3

: bet, wager

4

: to fasten up or support (something, such as a plant) with stakes

5

: to back financially

6

: grubstake

Phrases

at stake

: at issue : in jeopardy

stake a claim

: to assert a title or right to something by or as if by placing stakes usually to satisfy a legal requirement

Synonyms

Noun

• claim
• interest
• share

Verb

• bankroll
• capitalize
• endow
• finance
• fund
• subsidize
• underwrite

Examples of stake in a Sentence

Noun

Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.

a poker game with high stakes

The stakes are too high.

Verb

She staked the tomatoes to keep them from falling over.

the actor staked the entire production of the film with his own money

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The event is now entirely owned by Rolling Stone, which first acquired a majority stake in the festival 2022. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 25 June 2024

At stake is whether tens of millions — or potentially hundreds of millions — of containers are diverted from the state’s trash system every year. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2024

Verb

This Revolution Will Be Amplified From Lil Nas X to Valerie June to Darius Rucker, Black musicians are staking their claim in country music. —JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024

Promoting lockstep hatred of the West Coast — not just its politics, but its people — is now a requisite for anyone hoping to stake a claim in the right-wing mediaverse. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English staca; akin to Middle Low German stake pole, and perhaps to Latin tignum beam

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stake

• at stake
• go to the stake for/over
• stake a claim
• stake body
• stake one's life on (something)
• stake out
• stake truck
• the stake
• would/will bet/stake one's life on

Kids Definition

stake

1 of 2 noun

ˈstāk 

1

: a pointed piece (as of wood or metal) driven or to be driven into the ground especially as a marker or support

2

: a post to which a person is bound for execution by burning

3

a

: something that is staked for gain or loss

b

: the prize in a contest

c

: an interest or share in a business

4

: grubstake

stake

2 of 2 verb

staked; staking

1

a

: to mark the limits of by stakes

stake out a mining claim

b

: to tie to a stake

c

: to fasten up or support (as plants) with stakes

2

a

: bet entry 2 sense 1

b

: to back financially

Legal Definition

stake

noun

1

: the subject matter (as property or an obligation) of an interpleader

2

: an interest or share in an especially commercial undertaking