Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

sake

1 noun
     
sake1 S2 W3 [uncountable]
1

for the sake of somebody/something

also for somebody's/something's sake in order to help, improve, or please someone or something:
He moved to the seaside for the sake of his health.
I only went for Kay's sake.
I hope he's told the truth for his own sake (=because it will be good for him).
2

for God's/Christ's/goodness'/Heaven's etc sake

spoken
a) used when you are telling someone how important it is to do something or not to do something:
For goodness sake, don't be late!
b) used to show that you are angry or annoyed:
What is it now, for God's sake?
3

for the sake of it

if you do something for the sake of it, you do it because you want to and not for any particular reason:
She likes spending money just for the sake of it.
4

for its own sake

also something for something's sake if something is done for its own sake, it is done for the value of the experience itself, not for any advantage it will bring:
art for art's sake
5

for the sake of argument

spoken if you say something for the sake of argument, what you say may not be true but it will help you to have a discussion:
Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that you've got £200 to invest.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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