What does stake mean?
A stake has several related meanings, but all involve something fixed, claimed, risked, or at stake. Most commonly, it means an ownership interest or investment, as in holding a stake in a company. It can also mean an amount of money or something valuable placed at risk in a wager, often appearing in expressions such as “at stake” and “raise the stakes.” In a more physical sense, a stake is a pointed wooden post driven into the ground to mark a boundary, support a plant, or secure an object. As a verb, “to stake” can mean to fasten something with such a post, to wager something, or to assert a claim to a right or position. The word is common in business, finance, sport, law, agriculture, and outdoor activities. Its central idea is securing a position or putting something of value into an uncertain situation.
A pointed wooden post driven into the ground to mark a boundary, support a plant, or secure something.
"They marked the property boundary with wooden stakes."
This physical sense is especially common in agriculture, surveying, construction, and outdoor activities.
An interest or share in an undertaking, especially a financial share; also, an amount of money or value risked on an uncertain outcome.
"The investors each held a stake in the growing business."
In financial and business contexts, “stake” often means an ownership interest or investment. In gambling contexts, it refers to the amount wagered.
A prize, position, or outcome that is contested or at risk.
"The final round was played for very high stakes."
This sense is frequent in the plural form, particularly in expressions such as “at stake” and “raise the stakes.”
To fasten or secure something with a pointed stake.
"He staked the tent against the rising wind."
This is a literal and relatively specific use, common in outdoor and practical contexts.
The plural is used for competing interests or claims and for amounts of money or value at risk, as in “the stakes are high.” It is also the normal plural of the physical post noun.
"The two companies were competing for control of the business, with the future of several hundred employees at stake."
A single pointed post can mark a boundary, support a structure, or become a symbol of the money and effort invested in something—making “stake” a word for both ground and stakes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of stake
The English noun comes from Old English stæc, meaning “post” or “stick,” and is related to forms in other Germanic languages, including Dutch staak. The sense of putting money at risk developed from the physical image of a post or wager associated with a stake. The verb meanings—fastening with a post, wagering, and asserting a claim—developed from these older noun uses.
Related word forms
How stake is actually used
In business and financial contexts, “stake” commonly means an ownership share or investment interest. In phrases such as “at stake” and “raise the stakes,” it refers to something valuable that may be gained or lost. As a verb, “stake a claim” is relatively formal, while “stake something on an outcome” is widely used in everyday and sporting contexts.
Easily confused with stake
Stake is a general English word for a post, share, wager, or claim, whereas steak is a cut of meat.
A stick can be any elongated piece of material, while a stake is usually a pointed post driven into the ground or used to secure something.