anchorage

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noun an·chor·age \ ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij \

Definition of anchorage

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 hope
—T. O. Wedel

3 :something that provides a secure hold

See anchorage defined for English-language learners

See anchorage defined for kids

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 of anchorage from the Web

ANCHORAGE — There have been times in Alaska’s history when people have had deep anxiety about foreign threats.

— julia o'malley, Washington Post, "‘I’m worried about moose, not missiles.’ Alaskans on North Korea threat: Shrug.," 8 July 2017
ANCHORAGE — Everybody needs a shoulder to lean on now and then.

— dan joling, The Seattle Times, "Rx for orphan walrus calf: touch, massage, cuddle, repeat," 7 July 2017
Anchorage police said Wednesday the discovery of two dead bodies on a Hillside Drive property is now being investigated as a murder-suicide.

— jerzy shedlock, Alaska Dispatch News, "Discovery of 2 dead on Anchorage Hillside being investigated as murder-suicide," 6 July 2017
Two Anchorage men died Saturday when their fishing boat capsized in the Resurrection Bay area, Alaska State Troopers said.

— michelle theriault boots, Alaska Dispatch News, "2 Anchorage fishermen drown when boat capsizes near Resurrection Bay," 19 June 2017
Anchorage, Alaska: Crowne Plaza Anchorage Midtown, Kincaid Grill, which both have Three Diamond ratings.

— mary forgione, latimes.com, "AAA's favorite hotels and restaurants at summer's top 10 vacation spots," 15 June 2017
One of the most interesting additions to the new map is a ship-breaking yard at Rincon Point at the southern end of Yerba Buena Cove, near the current anchorage point for the Bay Bridge.

— greg miller, National Geographic, "New Map Reveals Ships Buried Below San Francisco," 2 June 2017
Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist who ran Arizona Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, sees both parties as having left their anchorages without new destinations in sight.

— cathleen decker, latimes.com, "In President Trump's wake, divisions mark both Democratic and Republican parties," 31 May 2017
CHP Officers currently negotiating with distraught party on top of anchorage.

— rick hurd, The Mercury News, "CHP talks down distraught man who climbed Bay Bridge," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anchorage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of anchorage

15th century

anchorage Synonyms

Synonyms

harbor, harborage, haven, port

Related Words

basin, dock, marina, moorage, mooring; arm, bay, bight, cove, creek [chiefly British], embayment, estuary, firth, fjord (also fiord), gulf, inlet, lagoon, loch [Scottish], lough [chiefly Irish], narrow, roads, roadstead; canal, channel, sound, strait; containerport, home port, seaport

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

Anchorage

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geographical name An·chor·age \ ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij \

Definition of Anchorage

municipality in south central Alaska at the head of Cook Inlet population 291,826

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

ANCHORAGE Defined for English Language Learners

anchorage

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noun

Definition of anchorage for English Language Learners

: a place where boats and ships are anchored
: something that provides a strong hold or connection

ANCHORAGE Defined for Kids

anchorage

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noun an·chor·age \ ˈaŋ-kə-rij \

Definition of anchorage for Students

:a place where boats can be anchored

Medical Dictionary

anchorage

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noun an·chor·age \ ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij \

medical Definition of anchorage

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

Learn More about anchorage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for anchorage Spanish Central: Translation of anchorage Nglish: Translation of anchorage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of anchorage for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anchorage

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anchorage

Definition of anchorage

From the M-W Editors

Examples of anchorage in a Sentence

Recent Examples of anchorage from the Web

First Known Use of anchorage

anchorage Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Nautical Terms

Anchorage

Definition of Anchorage

ANCHORAGE Defined for English Language Learners

anchorage

Definition of anchorage for English Language Learners

ANCHORAGE Defined for Kids

anchorage

Definition of anchorage for Students

Medical Dictionary

anchorage

medical Definition of anchorage

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