Noun

1. A piece of wood or other material, usually long and slender, pointed at one end so as to be easily driven into the ground as a support or stay; as, a stake to support vines, fences, hedges, etc.

   A sharpened stake strong Dryas found. --Dryden

   A piece of wood driven in the ground used in the game of croquet. The stake, often referred to as the peg, is placed in the middle of the court and is used as the finishing point after scoring 12 hoops in croquet.

2. A stick inserted upright in a lop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off.
3. The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned.
4. A share or interest in a business or a given situation (in the sense "stake a claim").
5. A small anvil usually furnished with a tang to enter a hole in a bench top, as used by tinsmiths, blacksmiths, etc., for light work, punching upon, etc.
6. That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge.
7. A territorial division.

   Every city, or stake, including a chief town and surrounding towns, has its president, with two counselors; and this president has a high council of chosen men. — Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

Verb

1. To fasten, support, or defend with stakes; as, to stake vines or plants.
2. To pierce or wound with a stake.
3. To put at hazard upon the issue of competition, or upon a future contingency; to wager; to pledge.

   I'll stake yon lamb, that near the fountain plays. -- Alexander Pope.

4. To provide another with money in order to play.

   John went broke, so in order to play Jill had to stake him