stake
stayk
Stake (noun) means a pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a marker or support. Example: “He hammered a stake into the soft ground to hold up the young tree.”
noun
1
A pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a marker or support.
"He hammered a stake into the soft ground to hold up the young tree."
"The tent blew over because one stake had pulled out of the earth."
"They marked the property line with wooden stakes."
2
A share or personal interest in a business, outcome, or situation.
"Staff own a stake in the bakery, so they all want it to do well."
"Investors hold a stake in the company's future."
"She has a real stake in seeing the project succeed."
3
Money or something else risked in a bet or contest.
"At the card table, she pushed her whole stake into the middle."
"Neither player wanted to raise the stake after losing the last hand."
"The stakes were high going into the final round."
verb
1
To risk something on the outcome of an event, or to mark an area with stakes.
"She staked her savings on the new cafe and hoped it would thrive."
"He staked his reputation on the deal going through."
"They staked out the boundary before building the fence."
How to use stake
Learner’s notesIn 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
Common pairings
raise the stakes
stake a claim
high stakes
stake out
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Word forms
- Plural
- stakes
- Third person singular
- stakes
- Past tense
- staked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He hammered a _____ into the soft ground to hold up the young tree.
Etymology
From Old English staca, a pin or stake, related to a very old root simply meaning "stake" or "pin."
Related words
Rhymes for stake
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.
