anchor baby

noun

plural anchor babies
disparaging + offensive
: a baby born to an immigrant in a country having birthright citizenship

Word History

Etymology

from the comparison of such a child, who supposedly provides a base by which other family members can gain legal residence, to an anchor that keeps a ship in place

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anchor baby was in 1993

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anchor baby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anchor%20baby. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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