noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

stake

stayk

Stake (noun) means a pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a marker or support. Example: “They marked the property line with wooden stakes.”

noun

A pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a marker or support.

"They marked the property line with wooden stakes."

A share or personal interest in a business, outcome, or situation.

"Investors hold a stake in the company's future."

"She has a real stake in seeing the project succeed."

Money or something else risked in a bet or contest.

"The stakes were high going into the final round."

verb

To risk something on the outcome of an event, or to mark an area with stakes.

"He staked his reputation on the deal going through."

"They staked out the boundary before building the fence."

How to use stake

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA pointed post, a share/interest in something, or money risked on an outcome.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "stake" with "steak" (the cut of meat) — they're homophones.

Easily confused with

steak →

Common pairings

raise the stakes stake a claim high stakes stake out

Word forms

staked past tense, stakes plural, Stakes plural, stakes singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They marked the property line with wooden _____.

Etymology

From Old English staca, a pin or stake, related to a very old root simply meaning "stake" or "pin."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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post pole picket share interest investment

Related words

after part job office post deal position interest

Rhymes for stake

ake take make rake wake cake lake sake bake fake jake Dake

See all rhymes for stake →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stake” mean?

The word “stake” means a pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a marker or support. In plain terms, a pointed post, a share/interest in something, or money risked on an outcome.

How do you pronounce “stake”?

“Stake” is pronounced stayk (/steɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “stake” in a sentence?

Here is “stake” used in a sentence: “They marked the property line with wooden stakes.”

What part of speech is “stake”?

Depending on how it is used, “stake” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “stake” come from?

The word “stake” comes from Old English. From Old English staca, a pin or stake, related to a very old root simply meaning "stake" or "pin.".

Is “stake” a common word?

“Stake” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “stake” have?

“Stake” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a marker or support.

What is the difference between 'stake' and 'steak'?

'Stake' and 'steak' are homophones that sound alike but differ in meaning. A stake is a pointed post driven into the ground or a share and interest in something, while a steak is a thick slice of meat, usually beef.

What is the difference between a 'stake' and a 'share'?

A 'share' is often a formal unit of ownership in a company, whereas a 'stake' is the broader portion or interest that someone holds, which may be measured in shares or simply in involvement. You can hold a majority stake without owning every share.

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after part job office post deal position interest