Dictionary definition · stake
noun
- (law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something"they have interests all over the world"
- a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track)"a pair of posts marked the goal"
- instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a victim is tied to for burning
- the money risked on a gamble
- a strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end so it can be driven into the ground
verb
- put at risk"I will stake my good reputation for this"
- place a bet on"Which horse are you backing?"
- mark with a stake"stake out the path"
- tie or fasten to a stake"stake your goat"
- kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole"the enemies were impaled and left to die"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).