Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

stake

1. stake \'sta-k\ n [ME, fr. OE staca; akin to MLG stake stake, L tignum 
   beam] 1: a pointed piece of wood or other material driven or to be driven 
   into th e ground as a marker or support 2a: a post to which a person is 
   bound for execution by burning  2b: execution by burning at a stake  3a: 
   something that is staked for gain or loss  3b: the prize in a contest  3c: 
   an interest or share in a commercial venture  4: a Mormon territorial 
   jurisdiction comprising a group of words  5: an upright stick at the side 
   or end of a vehicle to retain the load  6: GRUBSTAKE  : at issue : in 
   jeopardy  - at stake 
2. stake vt 1: to mark the limits of by stakes  2: to tether to a stake  3: 
   BET, HAZARD  4: to fasten up or support (as plants) with stakes  5: to back 
   financially  6: GRUBSTAKE