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
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
anchored; anchoring
ˈaŋ-k(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to hold in place in the water by an anchor
anchor a ship
2
: to secure firmly : fix
anchor a post in concrete
3
: to act or serve as an anchor for
… it is she who is anchoring the rebuilding campaign …—
Gray D. Boone
Gray D. Booneanchoring the evening news
Synonyms
Examples of anchor in a Sentence
Noun
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
Verb
They anchored the ship in the bay.
The ship anchored in the bay.
a star quarterback who has anchored the team's offense for many years
Recent Examples on the WebStephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Its successors, The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange and its basement speakeasy counterpart Manifesto, were anchors of Kansas City’s restaurant revival in the 2010s.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
During the simulation, Finnerty gave orders to the crew to continue testing the equipment, then to drop the anchor and, finally, to sound the danger signal warning anyone on the water that collision was imminent.
—USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
The morning show anchors weren’t the only public figures who caught a glimpse at the eclipse.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
In part, this is because family life is typically an anchor for our identity and purpose.
—Richard V. Reeves, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
When Phoebe talks about the matches being Melody’s anchor to this world, that means a lot for the entire film.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Twenty years later, Harvest Records is an anchor of the now vibrant West Asheville community.
—Bill Kopp, SPIN, 4 Apr. 2024
Working with Emmet and the rest of our crew (Stephen helps cook and package, and keeps everything running smoothly; Timmy works with clients, and also sometimes delivers meals and just brings so much joy into the space) is such a wonderful anchor in my weekly schedule.
—Julia Turshen, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s where a looming real estate deal at Gallery Place came into play — the 260,000 square feet of retail that was once a bustling mall anchored by a Bed, Bath and Beyond and a movie theater, plus underground parking and office space.
—Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
The suburban area is home to more than 1,000 small businesses owned by Korean Americans and shopping plazas anchored by grocery stores such as Zion Market, Hannam Chain and H Mart.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Some are anchored near Baltimore or nearby Annapolis, where a dozen vessels were waiting.
—Tom Krisher, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Intuitive but measured, propulsive but patient, White’s drumming has become an instantly identifiable instrumental voice, anchored by Midnight’s gift.
—Grayson Haver Currin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The development is slated to be anchored with a Publix grocery store.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2024
Some hedgerows — usually anchored by hawthorns planted close to one another — are centuries old, and organizations like the English Hedgerow Trust exist solely to protect them.
—Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
Our aim wasn’t to saturate the film with gore, but to anchor it in a stark realism.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024
Noun
MacNeil became an anchor at NBC News and on the network’s local New York station, WNBC.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Its successors, The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange and its basement speakeasy counterpart Manifesto, were anchors of Kansas City’s restaurant revival in the 2010s.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
During the simulation, Finnerty gave orders to the crew to continue testing the equipment, then to drop the anchor and, finally, to sound the danger signal warning anyone on the water that collision was imminent.
—USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
The morning show anchors weren’t the only public figures who caught a glimpse at the eclipse.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
In part, this is because family life is typically an anchor for our identity and purpose.
—Richard V. Reeves, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
When Phoebe talks about the matches being Melody’s anchor to this world, that means a lot for the entire film.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Twenty years later, Harvest Records is an anchor of the now vibrant West Asheville community.
—Bill Kopp, SPIN, 4 Apr. 2024
Working with Emmet and the rest of our crew (Stephen helps cook and package, and keeps everything running smoothly; Timmy works with clients, and also sometimes delivers meals and just brings so much joy into the space) is such a wonderful anchor in my weekly schedule.
—Julia Turshen, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
The Resolution had anchored off Moorea, one of the Society Islands, and animals from the ship’s travelling menagerie had been left to graze onshore.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s where a looming real estate deal at Gallery Place came into play — the 260,000 square feet of retail that was once a bustling mall anchored by a Bed, Bath and Beyond and a movie theater, plus underground parking and office space.
—Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
The suburban area is home to more than 1,000 small businesses owned by Korean Americans and shopping plazas anchored by grocery stores such as Zion Market, Hannam Chain and H Mart.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Some are anchored near Baltimore or nearby Annapolis, where a dozen vessels were waiting.
—Tom Krisher, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Intuitive but measured, propulsive but patient, White’s drumming has become an instantly identifiable instrumental voice, anchored by Midnight’s gift.
—Grayson Haver Currin, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The development is slated to be anchored with a Publix grocery store.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2024
Some hedgerows — usually anchored by hawthorns planted close to one another — are centuries old, and organizations like the English Hedgerow Trust exist solely to protect them.
—Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
Our aim wasn’t to saturate the film with gore, but to anchor it in a stark realism.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anchor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
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
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of anchor was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing anchor
Dictionary Entries Near anchor
Cite this Entry
“Anchor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anchor. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on anchor
Nglish: Translation of anchor for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of anchor for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anchor
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share