stake

¹stake

noun \ˈstāk\

Definition of STAKE

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

— at stake

: at issue : in jeopardy

Examples of STAKE

1. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
2. a poker game with high stakes
3. The stakes are too high.

Origin of STAKE

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STAKE

Synonyms: claim, share, interest

Related Words: co-ownership, ownership, part, partnership, possession, title

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with STAKE

ache, bake, brake, break, cake, crake, drake, Drake, fake, flake, hake, jake, lake, make, quake, rake, sake, shake, slake, snake, steak, strake, take, wake