stake (n.)

  1. (law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something; they have interests all over the world; a stake in the companys future

    [ Syn: interest ]

  2. 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; the corner of the lot was indicated by a stake

    [ Syn: post ]

  3. instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a victim is tied to for burning

  4. the money risked on a gamble

    [ Syn: stakes , bet , wager ]

  5. a strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end so it can be driven into the ground

    stake (v.)

  1. put at risk; I will stake my good reputation for this

    [ Syn: venture , hazard , adventure , jeopardize ]

  2. place a bet on; Which horse are you backing?; Im betting on the new horse

    [ Syn: bet on , back , gage , game , punt ]

  3. mark with a stake; stake out the path

    [ Syn: post ]

  4. tie or fasten to a stake; stake your goat'

  5. kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole; the enemies were impaled and left to die

    [ Syn: impale ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.