| Front | stake |
|---|---|
| Back | stake noun, verb BrE /steɪk/ NAmE /steɪk/ noun word origin example bank 1 [countable] 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 Tall plants can be secured by tying them to stakes. 2 the stake [singular] 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. 3 [countable] money that sb invests in a company a 20% stake in the business a controlling/majority/minority stake 4 [singular] ~ 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. 5 [countable] 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). With only two points separating the top five players, the stakes are high as they enter the final round. 6 stakes [plural] the money that is paid to the winners in horse racing 7 stakes [uncountable] 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 He would have gone to the stake for his belief in his daughter's innocence. 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. more at pull up stakes at up v. verb verb forms word origin example bank 1 ~ sth (on sth) to risk money or sth important on the result of sth 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). 2 ~ 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 sthˈout 1 to clearly mark the limits of sth that you claim is yours 2 to state your opinion, position, etc. on sth very clearly The President staked out his position on the issue. 3 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 |
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