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

But there are still enormous stakes for Californians on Tuesday night. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024

In the election of 2024, these figures have been some of the most vocal in making the case that this isn’t a normal election cycle, that democracy is at stake. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

Moss had, at the time, already staked his claim for the job. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Each candidate has staked its campaign on clear themes — Trump promises to bolster the economy, vowing to enact tax cuts and tariffs on goods produced outside the U.S. Analysts say, however, tariffs typically pass costs onto the consumer, resulting in higher prices. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 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

• 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