anchor

noun

an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər 

plural anchors

often attributive

1

: a device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom

2

: a reliable or principal support : mainstay

a quarterback who has been the anchor of the team's offense

3

: something that serves to hold an object firmly

a bolt-and-nut cable anchor

4

: an object shaped like a ship's anchor

5

: a broadcaster (as on a news program) who introduces reports by other broadcasters and usually reads the news : an anchorman or anchorwoman

a TV news anchor

6

: the member of a team (such as a relay team) that competes last

7

: a large business (such as a department store) that attracts customers and other businesses to a shopping center or mall

8

mountaineering : a fixed object (such as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured

anchorless

ˈaŋ-kər-ləs 

adjective

see also:

at anchor

Illustration of anchor

• A yachtsman's
• 1 ring
• 2 stock
• 3 shank
• 4 bill
• 5 fluke
• 6 arm
• 7 throat
• 8 crown
• B fluke
• C grapnel
• D plow
• E mushroom

Synonyms of anchor

• newscaster
• broadcaster
• reporter
• announcer
• anchorperson

Examples of anchor in a Sentence

The ship dropped anchor in a secluded harbor.

He described his wife as the emotional anchor of his life.

a local bank that has been the financial anchor of the community

Recent Examples on the Web

Nine people, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, were initially arrested with 30 more later indicted on federal charges in connection with the incident. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Junior Ezra Nelson, who concentrates on water polo, emerged as a strong sprint freestyler and relay anchor. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 9 June 2026

The cooking is the anchor, but the trip is the point. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026

Your anchor will naturally be the largest piece of furniture or the one with the brightest upholstery or throw covers. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ancre, from Old English ancor, from Latin anchora, from Greek ankyra; akin to Old English anga hook — more at angle

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anchor

• at anchor
• co-anchor
• sea anchor
• sheet anchor
• weigh anchor

Rhymes for anchor

• anker
• banker
• canker
• hanker
• rancor
• shanker
• tanker

Kids Definition

anchor

1 of 2 noun

an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər 

1

: a device usually of metal that is attached to a boat or ship by a cable and that when thrown overboard digs into the earth and holds the boat or ship in place

2

: something that serves to hold an object firmly or that gives a feeling of stability

the anchor of a bridge

3

: anchorperson

anchor

2 of 2 verb

anchored; anchoring -k(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to hold in place by means of an anchor

anchor a ship

2

: to fasten to a firm foundation

anchor the cables of a bridge

3

: to drop anchor : become anchored

the boat anchored in the harbor

Medical Definition

anchor

transitive verb

an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər 

anchored; anchoring -k(ə-)riŋ 

: to relate psychologically to a point or frame of reference (as to a person, a situation, an object, or a conceptual scheme)