Simple Definition of anchor
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: a heavy device that is attached to a boat or ship by a rope or chain and that is thrown into the water to hold the boat or ship in place
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: a person or thing that provides strength and support
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: a large store that attracts customers and other businesses to an area (such as a shopping mall)
Full Definition of anchor
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
3 : something that serves to hold an object firmly
4 : an object shaped like a ship's anchor
5 : an anchorman or anchorwoman
6 : the member of a team (as a relay team) that competes last
7 : a large business (as a department store) that attracts customers and other businesses to a shopping center or mall
8 : a fixed object (as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured
Examples of anchor in a sentence
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
Illustration of anchor
Origin of anchor
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: before 12th century
anchor
Simple Definition of anchor
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: to keep a ship or boat from moving by using an anchor
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: to connect (something) to a solid base : to hold (something) firmly in place
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: to be the strongest and most important part of (something)
Full Definition of anchor
anchoredanchoringplay \-k(ə-)riŋ\
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 — G. D. Boone> <anchoring the evening news>
intransitive verb
1 : to cast anchor
2 : to become fixed
Examples of anchor in a sentence
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
13th Century
First Known Use of anchor
13th century
ANCHOR Defined for Kids
Definition of anchor for Students
1 : a heavy device attached to a ship by a cable or chain and used to hold the ship in place when thrown overboard
2 : someone or something that provides strength and support <He is the family's anchor.>
Definition of anchor for Students
anchoredanchoring
1 : to hold or become held in place with an anchor <The riverboat was anchored at a sandy beach below tall bluffs. — Janet Shaw, Meet Kirsten>
2 : to fasten tightly <The cables are anchored to the bridge.>
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about anchor
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "anchor" Medical Dictionary: Definition of "anchor" Spanish Central: Translation of "anchor" Nglish: Translation of "anchor" for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of "anchor" for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "anchor"
Seen and Heard
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