anchorage

noun an·chor·age \ ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij \

Updated on: 21 Mar 2018

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

The anchorage gives boaters a free place to stay for up to five days.

— hillary davis, latimes.com, "Newport takes steps toward a second year-round anchorage," 15 Feb. 2018
These root deeply into the granular base for anchorage and moisture deeper inside the hillside.

— maureen gilmer, idahostatesman, "Lupine is tailor-made for gardens in the West," 7 Feb. 2018
The new law is required for the city of San Diego, which has jurisdiction over the waters off the military base, to issue tickets to vessels there because there are no laws prohibiting anchorage in the Pacific Ocean, Wurts said.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Spike in abandoned boats prompts calls for crackdown," 11 Oct. 2017
Some police officers on boats cruised around the anchorage looking for any evidence.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Body found in San Diego Bay may be accidental fall victim," 31 Aug. 2017
From the North Camden waterfront, the steel arc and granite anchorages of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge offer a majestic blue-and-gray display of 20th-century urban aspirations.

— kevin riordan, Philly.com, "What scrappy Camden offers Amazon others can't: A chance to lift up an entire city," 13 Oct. 2017
What was a village eventually became a bay for Greek colonists, then a harbor for Byzantine sailors and finally an anchorage used by the Ottomans.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Researchers Have Found 60 Pristine Shipwrecks Found in the Black Sea," 27 Sep. 2017
Emily Michot The Miami Herald Larson and Raun’s boat, El Coqui, is one of dozens parted from anchorages during Irma, the worst storm to strike the Miami waterfront since Katrina and Wilma in 2005.

— douglas hanks, miamiherald, "On the hunt for missing sailboats after Hurricane Irma swamps Miami marinas," 13 Sep. 2017
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

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, estuary, firth, fjord (also fiord), gulf, inlet, lagoon, narrow, roads, roadstead;

canal, channel, sound, strait;

containerport, home port, seaport;

Other Nautical Terms

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

Anchorage

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

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

noun an·chor·age \ ˈaŋ-kə-rij \

Definition of anchorage for Students

: a place where boats can be anchored

Medical Dictionary

anchorage

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up anchorage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

anchorage

Definition of anchorage

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

Learn More about anchorage

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes