- a stick or post pointed at one end for driving into the ground as a boundary mark, part of a fence, support for a plant, etc.
- a post to which a person is bound for execution, usually by burning.
- the punishment of death by burning: Joan of Arc was sentenced to the stake.
- one of a number of vertical posts fitting into sockets or staples on the edge of the platform of a truck or other vehicle, as to retain the load.
- a division of ecclesiastical territory, consisting of a number of wards presided over by a president and two counselors.
- sett (def. 2).
- to mark with or as if with stakes (often followed by off or out): We staked out the boundaries of the garden.
- to possess, claim, or reserve a share of (land, profit, glory, etc.) as if by marking or bounding with stakes (usually followed by out or off): I'm staking out ten percent of the profit for myself.
- to separate or close off by a barrier of stakes.
- to support with a stake or stakes, as a plant:to stake tomato vines.
- to tether or secure to a stake, as an animal: They staked the goat in the back yard.
- to fasten with a stake or stakes.
- stake out,
- to keep (a suspect) under police surveillance.
- to appoint (a police officer) to maintain constant watch over a suspect or place.
- to leave one's job, place of residence, etc.; move: They pulled up stakes and went to California.
- something that is wagered in a game, race, or contest.
- a monetary or commercial interest, investment, share, or involvement in something, as in hope of gain: I have a big stake in the success of the firm.
- a personal or emotional concern, interest, involvement, or share: Parents have a big stake in their children's happiness.
- the funds with which a gambler operates.
- a prize, reward, increase in status, etc., in or as if in a contest.
- the cash values assigned to the various colored chips, various bets, and raises: Our stakes are 5, 10, and 25 cents: you can bet out 10 cents on a pair and reraise twice at 25 cents.
- a grubstake.
- to risk (something), as upon the result of a game or the occurrence or outcome of any uncertain event, venture, etc.: He staked his reputation on the success of the invention.
- to furnish (someone) with necessaries or resources, especially money: They staked me to a good meal and a train ticket.
- in danger of being lost, as something that has been wagered; critically involved.
- a stick or metal bar driven into the ground as a marker, part of a fence, support for a plant, etc
- one of a number of vertical posts that fit into sockets around a flat truck or railway wagon to hold the load in place
- a method or the practice of executing a person by binding him to a stake in the centre of a pile of wood that is then set on fire
- an administrative district consisting of a group of wards under the jurisdiction of a president
- to leave one's home or temporary resting place and move on
- to tie, fasten, or tether with or to a stake
- to fence or surround with stakes
- to lay (a claim) to land, rights, etc
- to support with a stake
- the money or valuables that a player must hazard in order to buy into a gambling game or make a bet
- an interest, often financial, held in something
- the money that a player has available for gambling
- a prize in a race, etc, esp one made up of contributions from contestants or owners
- a race in which all owners of competing horses contribute to the prize money
- US and Canadian informal short for grubstake (def. 1)
- at risk
- raise the stakes
- to increase the amount of money or valuables hazarded in a gambling game
- to increase the costs, risks, or considerations involved in taking an action or reaching a conclusion
- to hazard (money, etc) on a result
- to invest in or support by supplying with money, etc
