Peg vs. Stake — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
A peg is typically a small, cylindrical tool used to hold objects in place, often in carpentry or tent setup, while a stake is larger, used for support or claiming something like land or plants.
Difference Between Peg and Stake
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Pegs are often made of wood or metal and are small in diameter, designed to fit into corresponding holes in objects to join them together or to secure them to the ground, such as in securing tents. Stakes, on the other hand, are usually longer and driven into the ground to provide support for plants or to mark boundaries.
In carpentry, a peg is used to secure or align parts of a structure without the use of nails or screws, relying on a snug fit into pre-drilled holes. In contrast, stakes in construction might be used to support forms for concrete or to stabilize structures temporarily.
For camping, pegs are essential for anchoring the tent to the ground, ensuring it stays in place despite wind or weather conditions. Whereas, stakes might be used in a campsite to mark territory or to support larger structures like tarps or bigger tents.
In gardening, pegs might be used to mark positions for planting or to hold down landscape fabric. Stakes are critical in gardening for supporting growing plants, especially tall or climbing varieties that are prone to falling over.
One notable distinction is in usage terms related to size and function: pegs are typically smaller and more for precision tasks, whereas stakes are robust and meant for support or larger-scale applications.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Material
Often wood, metal
Typically wood, metal, plastic
Primary Use
Securing objects, alignment
Support, marking boundaries
Size
Smaller, fits into holes
Larger, driven into ground
Application Example
Joining wood pieces, securing tents
Supporting plants, marking land boundaries
Typical Environment
Carpentry, camping
Gardening, construction, camping
Compare with Definitions
Peg
Made to fit snugly into a hole.
She inserted the peg into the board to assemble the frame.
Stake
Can support larger structures.
We used stakes to secure the main poles of the large tent.
Peg
Can be made of various materials.
Metal pegs are often more durable than wooden ones.
Stake
A long post driven into the ground to support something.
Tomato plants were tied to stakes to keep them upright.
Peg
A small, cylindrical tool for joining or holding parts together.
He used a wooden peg to hold the shelf in place.
Stake
Used to mark boundaries or territories.
Stakes were placed at each corner of the lot to mark the property lines.
Peg
Often used in securing tents.
Each tent peg was hammered into the ground to withstand the wind.
Stake
Larger and sturdier than pegs.
The wooden stakes had to be strong to support the newly planted trees.
Peg
Essential for precise positioning.
The pegs were crucial for aligning the machine parts accurately.
Stake
Often visible above ground.
The stakes must be tall enough to be visible above the growing plants.
Peg
A small cylindrical or tapered pin, as of wood, used to fasten things or plug a hole.
Stake
A piece of wood or metal pointed at one end for driving into the ground as a marker, fence pole, or tent peg.
Peg
A similar pin forming a projection that may be used as a support or boundary marker.
Stake
A vertical post to which an offender is bound for execution by burning.
Peg
(Music) One of the pins of a stringed instrument that are turned to tighten or slacken the strings so as to regulate their pitch.
Stake
Execution by burning. Used with the
Condemned to the stake.
Peg
A degree or notch, as in estimation
Our opinion of him went up a few pegs after he did the dishes.
Stake
A vertical post secured in a socket at the edge of a platform, as on a truck bed, to help retain the load.
Peg
Chiefly British A drink of liquor.
Stake
Mormon Church A territorial division consisting of a group of wards under the jurisdiction of a president.
Peg
(Baseball) A low and fast throw made to put a base runner out.
Stake
Often stakes Money or property risked in a wager or gambling game.
Peg
(Informal) A leg, especially a wooden one.
Stake
The prize awarded the winner of a contest or race.
Peg
To fasten or plug with a peg or pegs.
Stake
A race offering a prize to the winner, especially a horserace in which the prize consists of money contributed equally by the horse owners.
Peg
To designate or mark by means of a peg or pegs.
Stake
A share or an interest in an enterprise, especially a financial share.
Peg
To fix (a price) at a certain level or within a certain range.
Stake
Personal interest or involvement
A stake in her children's future.
Peg
(Informal) To classify; categorize
I pegged her as an opportunist. Why do you have me pegged as the rowdy one?.
Stake
Something, such as a crucial change or grave consequence, that may result from a situation
The stakes are high in the mayoral election.
Peg
To hit, especially with a thrown object or fired projectile
She pegged him on the head with a snowball.
Stake
A grubstake.
Peg
To throw or fire (an object or projectile)
“How did you learn to peg a ball as straight as this?” (Zane Grey).
Stake
To mark the location or limits of with stakes. Often used with out
Staked out a garden patch.
Peg
To work steadily; persist
Pegged away until our luck turned.
Stake
To claim, establish, or register as one's own. Often used with out
Staked out a mining claim at the office.
Staked out a place for herself in the library.
Peg
Wide at the top and narrowing toward the bottom
Peg jeans.
A peg skirt.
Stake
To fasten, secure, or support with a stake or stakes
Staked down the tent.
Staked the shrubs.
Peg
A cylindrical wooden or metal object used to fasten or as a bearing between objects.
Stake
To tether or tie to a stake.
Peg
A protrusion used to hang things on.
Hang your coat on the peg and come in.
Stake
To impale with a stake.
Peg
(figurative) A support; a reason; a pretext.
A peg to hang a claim upon
Stake
To gamble or risk; hazard
Staked his week's pay on the horse race.
Staked the campaign on a promise of a tax cut.
Peg
(cribbage) A peg moved on a crib board to keep score.
Stake
To provide with money; finance
Staked him to the money for the tickets.
Peg
(finance) A fixed exchange rate, where a currency's value is matched to the value of another currency or measure such as gold.
Stake
(Sports) To provide a lead for
Her homer staked her team to a two-run lead.
Peg
(UK) A small quantity of a strong alcoholic beverage.
Stake
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 marker or a support or stay.
We have surveyor's stakes at all four corners of this field, to mark exactly its borders.
Peg
A place formally allotted for fishing
Stake
(croquet) A piece of wood driven in the ground, placed in the middle of the court, that is used as the finishing point after scoring 12 hoops in croquet.
Peg
A leg or foot.
Stake
A stick inserted upright in a lop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, flat car, flatbed trailer, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off.
Peg
One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the strings are strained.
Stake
A share or interest in a business or a given situation.
The owners let the managers eventually earn a stake in the business.
Peg
A step; a degree.
Stake
That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge.
Peg
Ellipsis of clothes peg
Stake
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 hole in or cutting a work piece, or for specific forming techniques etc.
Peg
(journalism) A topic of interest, such as an ongoing event or an anniversary, around which various features can be developed.
Stake
(Mormonism) A territorial division comprising all the Mormons (typically several thousand) in a geographical area.
Peg
A stump.
Stake
(transitive) To fasten, support, defend, or delineate with stakes.
To stake vines or plants
Peg
(slang) The penetration of one's (male) partner in the anus using a dildo.
Get your strap-on out and give me a nice peg!
Stake
(transitive) To pierce or wound with a stake.
Peg
A serving of brandy and soda.
Stake
(transitive) To put at risk upon success in competition, or upon a future contingency.
Peg
(India) A serving of any hard spirit, particularly whisky.
Stake
(transitive) To provide another with money in order to engage in an activity as betting or a business venture.
John went broke, so to keep him playing, Jill had to stake him.
His family staked him $10,000 to get his business started.
Peg
A shilling.
Stake
(cryptocurrency) To deposit and risk a considerable amount of cryptocurrency in order to participate in the proof of stake process of verification.
Peg
(transitive) To fasten using a peg.
Let's peg the rug to the floor.
Stake
A piece of wood, 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.
Peg
(transitive) To affix or pin.
I found a tack and pegged your picture to the bulletin board.
She lunged forward and pegged him to the wall.
Stake
A stick inserted upright in a loop, eye, or mortise, at the side or end of a cart, a flat car, or the like, to prevent goods from falling off.
Peg
(transitive) To fix a value or price.
China's currency is no longer pegged to the American dollar.
Stake
The piece of timber to which a martyr was affixed to be burned; hence, martyrdom by fire.
Peg
(transitive) To narrow the cuff openings of a pair of pants so that the legs take on a peg shape.
Stake
A small anvil usually furnished with a tang to enter a hole in a bench top, - used by tinsmiths, blacksmiths, etc., for light work, punching upon, etc.
Peg
To throw.
Stake
That which is laid down as a wager; that which is staked or hazarded; a pledge.
Peg
To indicate or ascribe an attribute to. (Assumed to originate from the use of pegs or pins as markers on a bulletin board or a list.)
He's been pegged as a suspect.
I pegged his weight at 165.
Stake
A territorial division; - called also stake of Zion.
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.
Peg
(cribbage) To move one's pegs to indicate points scored; to score with a peg.
She pegged twelve points.
Stake
To fasten, support, or defend with stakes; as, to stake vines or plants.
Peg
To reach or exceed the maximum value on (a scale or gauge).
We pegged the speedometer across the flats.
Stake
To mark the limits of by stakes; - with out; as, to stake out land; to stake out a new road.
Peg
(intransitive) To keep working hard at something; to peg away.
Stake
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.
Peg
To drink alcohol frequently, especially brandy and soda; to tipple.
Stake
To pierce or wound with a stake.
Peg
A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.; as, a shoe peg.
Stake
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something;
They have interests all over the world
A stake in the company's future
Peg
A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats, etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.
Stake
A pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track);
A pair of posts marked the goal
The corner of the lot was indicated by a stake
Peg
One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the strings are strained.
Stake
Instrument of execution consisting of a vertical post that a victim is tied to for burning
Peg
One of the pins used for marking points on a cribbage board.
Stake
The money risked on a gamble
Peg
A step; a degree; esp. in the slang phrase "To take one down a peg."
To screw papal authority to the highest peg.
And took your grandees down a peg.
Stake
Put at risk;
I will stake my good reputation for this
Peg
A drink of spirits, usually whisky or brandy diluted with soda water.
This over, the club will be visited for a "peg," Anglice drink.
Stake
Place a bet on;
Which horse are you backing?
I'm betting on the new horse
Peg
A hard throw, especially one made to put out a baserunner; as, the peg to the plate went wild.
Stake
Mark with a stake;
Stake out the path
Peg
To put pegs into; to fasten the parts of with pegs; as, to peg shoes; to confine with pegs; to restrict or limit closely.
I will rend an oakAnd peg thee in his knotty entrails.
Stake
Tie or fasten to a stake;
Stake your goat
Peg
To score with a peg, as points in the game; as, she pegged twelwe points.
Stake
Kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole;
The enemies were impaled and left to die
Peg
To identify; to recognize; as, she pegged him as a good carpenter; he was pegged as a blowhard as soon as he started speaking; he was pegged as a exceptional player even in high school.
Peg
To throw (a ball); as, he pegged the runner out at second.
Peg
To work diligently, as one who pegs shoes; - usually with on, at, or away; as, to peg away at a task.
Peg
A wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
Peg
Small markers inserted into a surface to mark scores or define locations etc.
Peg
Informal terms of the leg;
Fever left him weak on his sticks
Peg
A prosthesis that replaces a missing leg
Peg
Regulator that can be turned to regulate the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrument
Peg
Succeed in obtaining a position;
He nailed down a spot at Harvard
Peg
Pierce with a wooden pin or knock or thrust a wooden pin into into
Peg
Fasten or secure with a wooden pin;
Peg a tent
Peg
Stabilize (the price of a commodity or an exchange rate) by legislation or market operations;
The weak currency was pegged to the US Dollar
Common Curiosities
What are some common mistakes when using pegs or stakes?
Using a peg that is too small for a hole or a stake that is not sufficiently anchored can lead to stability issues.
Are pegs and stakes interchangeable in their uses?
Generally, they are not due to differences in size and strength; pegs are used for secure fitting, and stakes for support.
How do you choose between a peg and a stake for a project?
The choice depends on the purpose: pegs are better for precision and small-scale tasks, while stakes are suited for support and marking.
Are there environmental concerns associated with using pegs or stakes?
Yes, the choice of material can impact the environment, particularly if treated wood or plastics are used.
What are the main materials used for pegs and stakes?
Pegs are commonly made from wood or metal, while stakes can be made from wood, metal, or plastic.
What is the typical lifespan of wooden stakes and pegs?
The lifespan depends on the material and environmental conditions, but generally, they can last several years if treated or maintained.
Can pegs be used for supporting plants?
Typically, pegs are too small for supporting plants; stakes are preferred for this purpose.
How do weather conditions affect the use of pegs and stakes?
Both must be chosen and installed considering weather conditions to ensure they perform their functions effectively.
How do you properly install a stake in the ground?
It should be driven deep enough to be stable but visible enough to serve its intended purpose.
What are the safety considerations when using stakes or pegs?
Proper handling and installation are required to prevent injuries, especially when using tools to drive them into the ground.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Oak vs. Palm
Next Comparison
Pentyl vs. AmylAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
