sea anchor

noun

, Nautical.

1. any of various devices, as a drogue, that have great resistance to being pulled through the water and are dropped forward of a vessel at the end of a cable to hold the bow into the wind or sea during a storm.

sea anchor

noun

1. nautical any device, such as a bucket or canvas funnel, dragged in the water to keep a vessel heading into the wind or reduce drifting

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea anchor¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

He knew that if they did get free from the schooner only an efficient sea-anchor or drag would keep the yawl right side up.

From Project Gutenberg

Over and around she went, with a tire blown and the lower rail of the big gate hanging onto the fender like a dry-land sea-anchor.

From Project Gutenberg

At daylight we found our sea-anchor and the rudder had both gone.

From Project Gutenberg

The sea anchor which Russ had rigged provided the necessary drag and steerage way, and the boat's head was kept to the waves.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the sea was calm, save for a heavy but smooth ground-swell, and I took in the sea-anchor and began to row.

From Project Gutenberg