The word "stake" can refer to different concepts depending on the context. Most commonly, it describes an interest or investment in a situation, outcome, or project. For example, when someone has a stake in a business, they have a financial interest and are invested in its success. It can also refer to a physical object, like a wooden post, that is driven into the ground to support something.
The word "stake" comes from the Old English "stæca," which means "a post or pole." Its usage evolved over time to include meanings related to investment and personal interest.