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

especially : a sum of money or its equivalent risked

b

: the prize in a contest

c

: an interest or share in an undertaking or enterprise

4

: a Latter-day Saint 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

staking the boundaries

2

: to tether to a stake

3

: bet, wager

staked everything on one last attempt

It will work, and I would stake my life on it.

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

Millions of dollars are at stake.

Many lives/jobs are at stake.

stake a claim or stake one's claim

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

They staked a claim to the land.

—often used figuratively

With a strong showing in the early rounds, she has staked her claim as one of the favorites to win.

Synonyms of stake

Noun

• interest
• share

Verb

• fund
• finance
• subsidize

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

California‘s new congressional maps could leave only four of the Golden State’s current nine House Republicans as winners in what’s become a high-stakes game of political musical chairs. —David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025

With Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby leading the way, the sci-fi/disaster flick is full of humor, heart and high stakes, plus Julia Garner's Silver Surfer is a joy to behold riding all those good vibes. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

Verb

To stake his claim to be considered for a F1 seat at any team, the 20-year-old would increase his odds by bagging the F2 title. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Smith, who was unstoppable all game, hauled in a 20-yard TD from Andrews to stake Seguin to a seven-point lead at 35-28. —Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025

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
• I would stake my life on it
• stake a claim
• stake body
• stake one's claim
• stake one's life on (something)
• stake out
• stake truck
• the stake
• would/will bet/stake one's life on

Rhymes for stake

• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake
• jake

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