anchor

1 of 2

noun

an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər 

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

ˈaŋ-kər-ləs 

adjective

see also:

at 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 

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

Synonyms of anchor

Noun

• newscaster
• broadcaster
• reporter
• announcer
• anchorperson

Verb

• fasten
• secure
• clamp
• hitch

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

The Kaiser hospital will bring workers and potential residents to the district, while the soccer stadium and concert venue will serve as entertainment anchors. — Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2026

The computer will serve as the anchor system of the National Quantum Algorithm Center (NQAC), established in 2024 by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, with IBM as a leading member. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

Verb

There was talk of anchoring the ship as part of a waterfront development in a major city. — Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

The property has repeatedly refreshed guest rooms, restaurants, and public spaces to stay contemporary while anchoring itself in Cayman’s culture and beach heritage. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

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

Phrases Containing anchor

• at anchor
• co-anchor
• sea anchor
• sheet anchor
• weigh anchor

Rhymes for anchor

• anker
• banker
• canker
• hanker
• rancor
• shanker
• tanker

Kids Definition

anchor

1 of 2 noun

an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər 

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

: anchorperson

anchor

2 of 2 verb

anchored; anchoring -k(ə-)riŋ 

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 

anchored; anchoring -k(ə-)riŋ 

: to relate psychologically to a point or frame of reference (as to a person, a situation, an object, or a conceptual scheme)