stake

A stick or rod with a sharp point. A stake is usually hammered into the ground. Often, the stake is tied to rope to connect something (like a tent) to the ground.

Example: We used four stakes to hold down our tent.

If you have a stake in something it is important to you. Usually, this means it will affect you in some way, so you have a good reason to be interested.

Example: I had a personal stake in hunger relief, since family had no food.

To put a stake into something. Most often, you would put the stake in the ground, but it could be put in something else.