noun
stake
stayk
noun
1
A pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a marker or support.
"They marked the property line with wooden stakes."
2
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."
3
Money or something else risked in a bet or contest.
"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.
"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
Word Forms
staked past tense, stakes plural, Stakes plural, stakes singular
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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."