anchor

1 of 2

noun

an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər How to pronounce anchor (audio)
plural anchors
often attributive
1
: a device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom
2
: a reliable or principal support : mainstay
a quarterback who has been the anchor of the team's offense
3
: something that serves to hold an object firmly
a bolt-and-nut cable anchor
4
: an object shaped like a ship's anchor
5
: a broadcaster (as on a news program) who introduces reports by other broadcasters and usually reads the news : an anchorman or anchorwoman
a TV news anchor
6
: the member of a team (such as a relay team) that competes last
7
: a large business (such as a department store) that attracts customers and other businesses to a shopping center or mall
8
mountaineering : a fixed object (such as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured
anchorless adjective

Illustration of anchor

Illustration of anchor
  • A yachtsman's
  • 1 ring
  • 2 stock
  • 3 shank
  • 4 bill
  • 5 fluke
  • 6 arm
  • 7 throat
  • 8 crown
  • B fluke
  • C grapnel
  • D plow
  • E mushroom

anchor

2 of 2

verb

anchored; anchoring ˈaŋ-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce anchor (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to hold in place in the water by an anchor
anchor a ship
2
: to secure firmly : fix
anchor a post in concrete
3
: to act or serve as an anchor for
… it is she who is anchoring the rebuilding campaign …Gray D. Boone
anchoring the evening news

intransitive verb

1
: to cast anchor
2
: to become fixed
Phrases
at anchor
: being anchored
a ship at anchor

Examples of anchor in a Sentence

Noun The ship dropped anchor in a secluded harbor. He described his wife as the emotional anchor of his life. a local bank that has been the financial anchor of the community Verb They anchored the ship in the bay. The ship anchored in the bay. a star quarterback who has anchored the team's offense for many years
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That deep, complex, savoriness anchors this mouthwatering pesto. Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 In the last year, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who were fired from their rival cable outlets on the same day, have launched talk shows on social media platforms, hoping to find a new audience online. Jon Passantino, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 However, subsea cables can be cut by anchors, including those dropped from some of the ships that have been disabled in attacks. Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 The veteran journalist will become the channel’s chief domestic correspondent and an anchor, delivering enterprise reporting and filling in as a host on programs across the daypart. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2024 The Sears store, a former anchor at Northgate Mall, closed in November 2018. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024 Macy's, an anchor of so many shopping malls, plans to close 150 department stores in a bid to reinvigorate sales and shift its public image more toward luxury goods. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024 Recent comments by Raymond Arroyo, a Fox News anchor, have stirred up much controversy and debate. Elijah Clark, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Charles Osgood Charles Osgood, the venerable CBS news anchor and radio personality, died Jan. 23 at 91-years-old. Ew Staff, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
According to Windward, the number of bulk carriers anchoring outside ports to the north and south of the Suez Canal surged 225% Wednesday compared with the previous day. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Buy Now 05 of 18 'Kushiel’s Dart' by Jacqueline Carey An absolute classic of dark romantic fantasy, anchored by an incredible heroine who is part spy, part courtesan and all courageous heart. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 In Congress Heights, residents and business owners have similarly been counting on its 4,200-seat arena to anchor the neighborhood and help lift the neighborhood’s fortunes. Ashraf Khalil, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Billed as a 6-foot-3, 337-pound strongman, Smith was drafted in the first round of 2023 NFL Draft out of Michigan to plug the middle and anchor the run defense. Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Feb. 2024 The Sunday shows have become something of an old boys’ club — even though most of them are anchored or co-anchored by female correspondents. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 By contrast, Yulia was Mr. Navalny’s obvious home base, anchoring him and embodying his hope for the future — his own personal future, and that of his native Russia. Rhonda Garelick, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Limited Exploration: When anchored to a particular piece of information, individuals may fail to explore other options or alternatives fully. Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Its grand lobby is a visual treat for the eyes – with vaulted ceilings punctuated with golden Murano chandeliers and sconces; luxe, cozy vignettes meant for sipping cocktails or snuggling with a book; and an adjacent ballroom anchored by a theatrical Chihuly chandelier. Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anchor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English ancre, from Old English ancor, from Latin anchora, from Greek ankyra; akin to Old English anga hook — more at angle

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anchor was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near anchor

Cite this Entry

“Anchor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anchor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anchor

1 of 2 noun
an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər How to pronounce anchor (audio)
1
: a device usually of metal that is attached to a boat or ship by a cable and that when thrown overboard digs into the earth and holds the boat or ship in place
2
: something that serves to hold an object firmly or that gives a feeling of stability
the anchor of a bridge
3

anchor

2 of 2 verb
anchored; anchoring -k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce anchor (audio)
1
: to hold in place by means of an anchor
anchor a ship
2
: to fasten to a firm foundation
anchor the cables of a bridge
3
: to drop anchor : become anchored
the boat anchored in the harbor

Medical Definition

anchor

transitive verb
an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər How to pronounce anchor (audio)
anchored; anchoring -k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce anchor (audio)
: to relate psychologically to a point or frame of reference (as to a person, a situation, an object, or a conceptual scheme)

More from Merriam-Webster on anchor

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