stake·out
ˈstāk-ˌau̇t 
: a surveillance maintained by the police of an area or a person suspected of criminal activity
staked out; staking out; stakes out
1
: to assign (someone, such as a police officer) to an area usually to conduct a surveillance
2
: to maintain a stakeout of
The police are staking out a building where criminal activity is suspected.
3
: to claim as one's own
staked out the biggest bedroom as his
4
: to mark the limits of (an area) with stakes
staking out where the shed will be built
5
: to state (one's opinion) in a very clear and definite way
She staked out her position on the issue in the speech.
Examples of stakeout in a Sentence
Noun
The drug deal was witnessed during a stakeout of the building.
The police were on a stakeout.
Recent Examples on the Web
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
However, the peace vigil in Lafayette Park stands out as a permanent stakeout for free speech and is widely known as the longest continuous act of political protest in U.S. history.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been the central sticking point throughout the monthlong shutdown, and both parties have staked out public positions that have, so far, been immovable.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stakeout
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Grogu, with a telescope in hand, is then seen standing beside Djarin in an apparent stakeout mission.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
However, the peace vigil in Lafayette Park stands out as a permanent stakeout for free speech and is widely known as the longest continuous act of political protest in U.S. history.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
By framing opposition to ICE as both practical and symbolic, Mamdani is staking out a high-profile platform that could reshape the city’s approach to federal oversight and immigrant protections.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been the central sticking point throughout the monthlong shutdown, and both parties have staked out public positions that have, so far, been immovable.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stakeout
Cite this Entry
“Stakeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stakeout. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share