1
: a pointed piece of wood or other material driven or to be driven into the ground as a marker or support
2
a
: a post to which a person is bound for execution by burning
b
: execution by burning at a stake
3
a
: something that is staked for gain or loss
b
: the prize in a contest
c
: an interest or share in an undertaking or enterprise
4
: a Mormon territorial jurisdiction comprising a group of wards
5
6
: stakes race
—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
staked; staking
1
: to mark the limits of by or as if by stakes
2
: to tether to a stake
4
: to fasten up or support (something, such as a plant) with stakes
5
: to back financially
6
Synonyms
Examples of stake in a Sentence
Noun
Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
a poker game with high stakes
The stakes are too high.
Verb
She staked the tomatoes to keep them from falling over.
the actor staked the entire production of the film with his own money
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
In the election of 2024, these figures have been some of the most vocal in making the case that this isn’t a normal election cycle, that democracy is at stake.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Each candidate has staked its campaign on clear themes — Trump promises to bolster the economy, vowing to enact tax cuts and tariffs on goods produced outside the U.S. Analysts say, however, tariffs typically pass costs onto the consumer, resulting in higher prices.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stake 
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Noun
But there are still enormous stakes for Californians on Tuesday night.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
In the election of 2024, these figures have been some of the most vocal in making the case that this isn’t a normal election cycle, that democracy is at stake.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Moss had, at the time, already staked his claim for the job.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Each candidate has staked its campaign on clear themes — Trump promises to bolster the economy, vowing to enact tax cuts and tariffs on goods produced outside the U.S. Analysts say, however, tariffs typically pass costs onto the consumer, resulting in higher prices.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stake
Dictionary Entries Near stake
Cite this Entry
“Stake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stake. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stake
1 of 2 noun1
: a pointed piece (as of wood or metal) driven or to be driven into the ground especially as a marker or support
2
: a post to which a person is bound for execution by burning
3
a
: something that is staked for gain or loss
b
: the prize in a contest
c
: an interest or share in a business
4
stake
2 of 2 verb
staked; staking
1
a
: to mark the limits of by stakes
stake out a mining claim
b
: to tie to a stake
c
: to fasten up or support (as plants) with stakes
2
b
: to back financially
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