A "stake" refers to a financial interest or investment in a particular venture or project. It represents the amount of money or resources that an individual or organization commits to a business, which can influence their level of involvement and decision-making power. The size of the stake often determines the potential returns or losses associated with the investment. In the context of business, having a stake can also mean ownership in a company, often represented by shares. Stakeholders, including investors, employees, and customers, can have varying degrees of influence based on their stakes, impacting the direction and success of the enterprise.