stake
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
stakes
plural
stakes
Britannica Dictionary definition of STAKE
1
[count]
:
a pointed stick or post that is pushed into the ground especially to mark a place or to support something
2
the stake
:
a post that a person was tied to and burned on in the past as a form of punishment
-
Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
3
stakes
[plural]
:
something (such as money) that you could win or lose in a game, contest, etc.
-
a poker game with high stakes
-
The stakes are too high/low/big.
4
[count]
a
:
an interest or share in a business
-
They have a stake in the company. [=they own part of the company]
-
a majority stake
b
:
an interest or degree of involvement in something
-
We all have a stake in the health of our economy. [=the health of our economy affects us all]
at stake
:
in a position to be lost or gained
-
Millions of dollars are at stake in the battle over his inheritance.
-
Thousands of jobs are at stake.
-
Many lives are at stake.
-
My reputation is at stake if this project fails. [=my reputation will be lost/damaged if this project fails]
go to the stake for/over
British
:
to defend (something or someone) even though your actions or statements may cause you trouble or harm
-
She's willing to go to the stake for her beliefs.
pull up stakes
US, informal
:
to leave your job or home
-
Her career was going nowhere, so she decided it was time to pull up stakes.
2
stake
/ˈsteɪk/
verb
stakes;
staked;
staking
2
stake
/ˈsteɪk/
verb
stakes;
staked;
staking
Britannica Dictionary definition of STAKE
[+ object]
1
:
to risk the loss of (something, such as money)
— usually + on
-
She staked [=bet, wagered] all her money on the race.
-
He staked [=risked] his reputation on the success of the new plan.
-
The corporation staked billions of dollars on the deal.
-
She staked everything on one last attempt.
-
That's the man who robbed the bank. I would stake my life on it. [=I am absolutely sure]
2
:
to support (something, such as a plant) with stakes
-
She staked the tomatoes to keep them from falling over.
stake out
[phrasal verb]
1
stake (something) out
or
stake out (something)
:
to mark the limits of (an area) with stakes
-
stake out a mining area
-
We staked out the area where the pool will be installed.
2
:
to watch (a place) secretly especially because you are looking for illegal activity
—
see also stakeout
-
The police staked out the building until they caught the vandals.
3
:
to state (your opinion) in a very clear and definite way
-
He staked out his position on this issue in a speech he gave last month.
stake (out) a/your claim
:
to say or show that you believe you should have something or that you deserve something
-
They staked their claim to the land.
-
With her strong showing in the early rounds of the tournament, she has staked her claim to be considered one of the favorites.
