anchorage

noun

an·​chor·​age ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij How to pronounce anchorage (audio)
1
a
: a place where vessels anchor : a place suitable for anchoring
b
: the act of anchoring : the condition of being anchored
2
: a means of securing : a source of reassurance
this anchorage of Christian hopeT. O. Wedel
3
: something that provides a secure hold

Examples of anchorage in a Sentence

an area of safe anchorage A heavy metal ring provides anchorage for the cable. The ring serves as a secure anchorage.
Recent Examples on the Web For years the Yale theologian and poet Christian Wiman has grappled with a cancer diagnosis and a difficult prognosis, white-knuckling through a rollercoaster of chemotherapy and pneumonias, turning to faith and family for anchorage, his notebook for emotional ballast. Hamilton Cain, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2023 Its windows on one side look out on the anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge, just across the street. Nicole Rudick, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2023 And a draft of just seven feet, which would also allow the yacht to enter shallow anchorages. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2023 Yes, boats will be allowed to watch the fireworks from three anchorage areas on the Ohio River, at miles 470.5-470.7, 469.6-469.2 (300 feet from the Ohio shoreline) and 469.6-469.2 (300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline). Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2023 There they were told they would be granted only 24 hours in an isolated anchorage and then must depart. Herb McCormick, Popular Science, 17 Aug. 2020 The boating capital of the Bahamas delivers all a sailor (or lucky passenger) could want: calm waters; superb fishing (bonefish, tuna, and marlin are plentiful); and easy anchorage throughout the 120-mile chain of 14 limestone islands afloat in turquoise sea. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2020 Nothing kills the mood like an unattractive anchorage. Sue Bryant, Town & Country, 18 June 2023 Baby Trend child seats recalled for insecure webbing Baby Trend is recalling 2,600 Hybrid 3-in-1 Combination Booster Seat-Desert Blue child seats because the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) assembly webbing that secures the child restraint system to the lower anchorages may fray. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 29 May 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of anchorage was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near anchorage

anchor

anchorage

Anchorage

Cite this Entry

“Anchorage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anchorage. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anchorage

noun
an·​chor·​age ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij How to pronounce anchorage (audio)
1
: a place where boats may be anchored
2
: a firm hold to resist a strong pull
3
: a means of security

Medical Definition

anchorage

noun
an·​chor·​age ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij How to pronounce anchorage (audio)
1
: the act of securing or fastening firmly
2
: something (as a tooth) that provides a secure hold
anchorage for a dental plate
3
: a point or frame of psychological reference

Geographical Definition

Anchorage

geographical name

An·​chor·​age ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij How to pronounce Anchorage (audio)
municipality in south central Alaska at the head of Cook Inlet population 291,826

Note: Anchorage is by far Alaska's most populous city.

More from Merriam-Webster on anchorage

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!