Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - stake

~1 n 1 »SHARP POST« a pointed piece of wood, metal etc that is pushed into the ground to hold a rope, mark a particular place etc 2 the stake a post to which a person was tied in former times to be killed by being burnt  (burn sb at the stake)  (Witches were often burnt at the stake.) 3 have a stake in to have an important part or share in a business, plan etc so that you will gain if it succeeds  (a 33% stake in the business | I just don't feel I have a stake in the country's future.) 4 be at stake if something that you value very much is at stake, you will lose it if a plan or action is not successful  (If we lose the contract, hundreds of jobs are at stake.) 5 (be prepared to) go to the stake for/over sth to take great risks to protect or defend an idea, belief etc  (That's my opinion, but I wouldn't go to the stake for it.) 6 »RISK« C usually singular money risked on the result of something, especially a horse race; bet2 (1) 7 stakes money that people risk on the result of a game, race, etc, all of which is taken by the winner  (We're playing for very high stakes here.) 8 play for high stakes a) to risk a lot of money in a game b) to be in a situation where you gain or lose a lot 9 the popularity/fashion etc stakes a situation that can be considered as if it were a competition  (Ben wouldn't score very highly in the popularity stakes.) 10 pull up stakes AmE up stakes BrE informal to leave your job or home  (We're going to pull up stakes and move to Montana.) ~2 v 1 to risk money on a race or competition  (Hargreave staked his whole fortune on one card game.) 2 to risk losing something that is valuable or important to you, if a plan or action is not successful  (stake sth on sb/sth)  (The President is staking his reputation on these trade talks. | I've staked all my hopes on you.) 3 also stake up to fasten or strengthen something with stakes  (Those young trees will have to be staked.) 4 also stake off to mark or enclose an area of ground with stakes  (The muddiest corner of the field has been staked off.) 5 stake (out) a claim to say publicly that you think you have a right to have or own something  (Joe staked his claim to the land where he found the gold.) stake sth out phr v informal to watch a place secretly and continuously  (The vice squad have been staking out the club for weeks.) - stakeout n