anchor

[ ang-ker ]

noun

1. any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold.
2. any similar device for holding fast or checking motion:

   an anchor of stones.

3. any device for securing a suspension or cantilever bridge at either end.
4. any of various devices, as a metal tie, for binding one part of a structure to another.
5. a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay:

   Hope was his only anchor.

6. Also Radio and Television. a person who is the main broadcaster on a program of news, sports, etc., and who usually also serves as coordinator of all participating broadcasters during the program; anchorman or anchorwoman; anchorperson.
7. Television. a program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned to the network for the programs that follow.
8. Also called anchor store. a well-known store, especially a department store, that attracts customers to the shopping center in which it is located.
9. Slang. automotive brakes.
10. Military. a key position in defense lines.
11. Also Sports.
    1. the person on a team, especially a relay team, who competes last.
    2. the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team.

verb (used with object)

1. to hold fast by an anchor.
2. to fix or fasten; affix firmly:

   The button was anchored to the cloth with heavy thread.

3. to act or serve as an anchor for:

   He anchored the evening news.

verb (used without object)

1. to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor:

   The ship anchored at dawn.

2. to keep hold or be firmly fixed:

   The insect anchored fast to its prey.

3. Sports, Radio and Television. to act or serve as an anchor.

anchor

/ ˈæŋkə /

noun

1. any of several devices, usually of steel, attached to a vessel by a cable and dropped overboard so as to grip the bottom and restrict the vessel's movement
2. an object used to hold something else firmly in place

   the rock provided an anchor for the rope

3. a source of stability or security

   religion was his anchor

4. 1. a metal cramp, bolt, or similar fitting, esp one used to make a connection to masonry
   2. ( as modifier )

      anchor plate

      anchor bolt

5. 1. the rear person in a tug-of-war team
   2. short for anchorman anchorwoman
6. at anchor
   (of a vessel) anchored
7. cast anchor or come to anchor or drop anchor
   to anchor a vessel
8. drag anchor
   See drag
9. ride at anchor
   to be anchored
10. weigh anchor
    to raise a vessel's anchor or (of a vessel) to have its anchor raised in preparation for departure

verb

1. to use an anchor to hold (a vessel) in one place
2. to fasten or be fastened securely; fix or become fixed firmly
3. tr radio television to act as an anchorman on

Other Words From

• an·chor·a·ble adjective
• an·chor·less adjective
• an·chor·like adjective
• re·an·chor verb
• un·an·chored adjective
• well-an·chored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchor¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English anker, ancre, Old English ancor, ancer, ancra (compare Old Frisian, Middle Dutch, Middle Low German anker ), from Latin anc(h)ora, from Greek ánkȳra

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchor¹

Old English ancor, from Latin ancora, from Greek ankura; related to Greek ankos bend; compare Latin uncus bent, hooked

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at anchor, held in place by an anchor:

   The luxury liner is at anchor in the harbor.

2. drag anchor, (of a vessel) to move with a current or wind because an anchor has failed to hold.
3. drop anchor, to anchor a vessel:

   They dropped anchor in a bay to escape the storm.

4. weigh anchor, to raise the anchor:

   We will weigh anchor at dawn.

Example Sentences

He did not believe that either of the cables could have been damaged by ships accidentally dropping their anchors.

From New York Times

Finnish officials later said the incident had been caused by a Chinese container ship dragging its anchor.

From BBC

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said the conservative anchor was a "tireless advocate for America’s soldiers and veterans".

From BBC

“From silly diner interviews on Weekend Fox and Friends to Secretary of Defense?” former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson posted on social media, saying she was “stunned” by the pick.

From Salon

“Tom’s a good friend and he anchors my team every year,” Trunk says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• mainstay