anchorage

noun

an·​chor·​age ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij 

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

Synonyms

• harbor
• harborage
• haven
• port

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

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

After spending 35 days stuck to the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay, the Ever Forward, a 1,096-foot, 131,420-ton cargo ship, was refloated Sunday morning and towed to an anchorage near Annapolis, where divers assessed for hull damage Monday. —Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

anchorage

noun

an·​chor·​age ˈaŋ-k(ə-)rij 

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 

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 

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

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