/steɪk/
stake
BrE /steɪk/
NAmE /steɪk/
[C]
a wooden or metal post that is pointed at one end and pushed into the ground in order to support sth, mark a particular place, etc.
the stake [sing.]
a wooden post that sb could be tied to in former times before being burnt to death (= killed by fire) as a punishment
Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake.
[C]
money that sb invests in a company
a 20% stake in the business
[sing.]
~ in sth
an important part or share in a business, plan, etc. that is important to you and that you want to be successful
She has a personal stake in the success of the play.
Many young people no longer feel they have a stake in society.
[C]
something that you risk losing, especially money, when you try to predict the result of a race, game, etc., or when you are involved in an activity that can succeed or fail
How much was the stake (= how much did you bet)?
They were playing cards for high stakes (= a lot of money).
stakes [pl.]
the money that is paid to the winners in horse racing
stakes [U]
used in the names of some horse races
at ˈstake
that can be won or lost, depending on the success of a particular action
We cannot afford to take risks when people’s lives are at stake.
The prize at stake is a place in the final.
go to the ˈstake over/for sth
to be prepared to do anything in order to defend your opinions or beliefs
in the… stakes
used to say how much of a particular quality a person has, as if they were in a competition in which some people are more successful than others
John doesn’t do too well in the personality stakes.
ˌup ˈsticks(BrE) (NAmE ˌpull up ˈstakes)
(informal)
to suddenly move from your house and go to live somewhere else
stake
BrE /steɪk/
NAmE /steɪk/
~ sth (on sth)
to risk money or sth important on the result of sth
SYN bet
He staked £25 on the favourite (= for example, in horse racing).
She staked her political career on tax reform, and lost.
That’s him over there—I’d stake my life on it (= I am completely confident).
~ sth (up)
to support sth with a stake (1)
to stake newly planted trees
stake (out) a/your ˈclaim (to/for/on sth)
to say or show publicly that you think sth should be yours
Adams staked his claim for a place in the Olympic team with his easy win yesterday.
ˌstake sth↔ˈout
to clearly mark the limits of sth that you claim is yours
to state your opinion, position, etc. on sth very clearly
The President staked out his position on the issue.
to watch a place secretly, especially for signs of illegal activity
Detectives had been staking out the house for several weeks.
➡ related noun stake-out