# stake

/ˈsteɪk/ (US) · /stˈeɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stake
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a pointed stick

noun · CEFR B2

a strong, pointed piece of wood or metal pushed into the ground to support something.

For teachers: a piece of wood or metal, pointed at one end, designed to be driven into the ground as a support, marker, or tether.

- He used a wooden stake to support the young tomato plant in the garden.
- The surveyors drove a steel stake into the corner of the lot to mark the exact boundary of the property.

### 2. financial interest

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a share or part of a business or a situation.

For teachers: a financial or personal interest in an enterprise, often representing a percentage of ownership.

- The company bought a twenty percent stake in the new tech startup.
- Having a significant stake in the outcome of the merger, the shareholders demanded a more transparent reporting process.

### 3. money at risk

noun · CEFR B2

the money or something valuable that you risk losing in a bet or a game.

For teachers: the sum of money or value of property risked on the outcome of a wager or contest.

- The stakes were high during the final round of the poker game.
- In high-stakes diplomacy, even a minor misunderstanding can lead to a total breakdown of international relations.

Usage: Often used in the plural form 'stakes' when referring to the importance or risk of a situation.

### 4. to mark or support

verb · CEFR B2

to mark an area or support a plant using stakes.

For teachers: to delineate, secure, or support by means of stakes; often used with 'out' to mean claiming territory.

- The gold miners decided to stake their claim along the river bank.
- The gardener spent the afternoon staking the tall lilies to protect them from the predicted heavy winds.

### 5. to risk or fund

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to risk something valuable on a result, or to give someone money for a business.

For teachers: to hazard or risk something on an event; also, to provide financial backing for a venture or person.

- He was willing to stake his entire reputation on the success of the project.
- The venture capitalist agreed to stake the young entrepreneur for the first year of operations in exchange for equity.

## Examples

- She has a twenty percent stake in the family business.
- Every employee has a stake in the company's success because they all receive annual performance bonuses.
- The diplomat argued that all regional powers have a significant stake in the peace process, as any further instability would inevitably lead to a refugee crisis across their borders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.