anchor

[ ang-ker ]

/ ˈæŋ kər /

noun

any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold.

any similar device for holding fast or checking motion: an anchor of stones.

any device for securing a suspension or cantilever bridge at either end.

any of various devices, as a metal tie, for binding one part of a structure to another.

a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay: Hope was his only anchor.

Radio and Television. a person who is the main broadcaster on a program of news, sports, etc., and who usually also serves as coordinator of all participating broadcasters during the program; anchorman or anchorwoman; anchorperson.

Television. a program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned to the network for the programs that follow.

a well-known store, especially a department store, that attracts customers to the shopping center in which it is located. Also called anchor store.

Slang. automotive brakes.

Military. a key position in defense lines.

Also anchorman. Sports.

the person on a team, especially a relay team, who competes last.
the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team.

verb (used with object)

to hold fast by an anchor.

to fix or fasten; affix firmly: The button was anchored to the cloth with heavy thread.

to act or serve as an anchor for: He anchored the evening news.

verb (used without object)

to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor: The ship anchored at dawn.

to keep hold or be firmly fixed: The insect anchored fast to its prey.

Sports, Radio and Television. to act or serve as an anchor.

Idioms for anchor

at anchor, held in place by an anchor: The luxury liner is at anchor in the harbor.

drag anchor, (of a vessel) to move with a current or wind because an anchor has failed to hold.

drop anchor, to anchor a vessel: They dropped anchor in a bay to escape the storm.

weigh anchor, to raise the anchor: We will weigh anchor at dawn.

Origin of anchor

before 900; Middle English anker, ancre, Old English ancor, ancer, ancra (compare Old Frisian, Middle Dutch, Middle Low German anker) < Latin anc(h)ora < Greek ánkȳra

OTHER WORDS FROM anchor

an·chor·a·ble, adjective an·chor·less, adjective an·chor·like, adjective re·an·chor, verb

un·an·chored, adjective well-an·chored, adjective

Words nearby anchor

ancestress, ancestry, anch'ing, anchises, ancho, anchor, anchor baby, anchor ball, anchor bed, anchor bell, anchor bolt

Example sentences from the Web for anchors

And beware the perky morning anchors with their inane questions (Aretha Franklin).

Ariana Grande, This Is How to Be a Diva |Tim Teeman |October 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Costumes worn by each reinvented persona act—in all their extravagant glory—serve as the anchors for the exhibit.

The Making—and Remaking—of David Bowie |Justin Jones |September 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
ABC News today announced new roles for anchors Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulos and David Muir.

George Stephanopoulos Wins ABC’s Chief Anchor Crown—Where Does His Promotion Leave David Muir? |Lloyd Grove |June 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
According to Newseum Curator Carrie Christoffersen, the brush signifies the “vanity required by anchors in the 1970s.”

Anchorman 2’s PR Blitz: Dodge Durangos, Daft Punk, Rob Ford’s Campaign Song, and Whiskey |Marlow Stern |November 22, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

She was on CNBC and three different of their anchors tried to win an argument with her, and she is just too smart.

Scandal’s Lisa Kudrow on Sexism in Politics (and That Epic Rant) |Kevin Fallon |November 14, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
On the night of April 30th a strong gale blew nearly all night, and the Pasha signalled to the Khedive to drop two anchors.

In Darkest Africa, Vol. 1; or, The quest, rescue and retreat of Emin, governor of Equatoria |Henry Morton Stanley
Now what is the best to use with these anchors—chain or rope?

On Yachts and Yacht Handling |Thomas Fleming Day
Within a few days the remnant of the defeated fleet had been surrendered or burned at its anchors.

Famous Sea Fights |John Richard Hale
Like the Malahini, those that had third anchors were preparing to drop them when the wind showed what quarter it was to blow from.

A Son Of The Sun |Jack London
Now you lubberly sons of swabs have got me on a lee-shore with all anchors draggin!

Cursed |George Allan England

British Dictionary definitions for anchors (1 of 2)

anchors

/ (ˈæŋkəz) /

pl n

slang the brakes of a motor vehicle he rammed on the anchors

British Dictionary definitions for anchors (2 of 2)

anchor

/ (ˈæŋkə) /

noun

any of several devices, usually of steel, attached to a vessel by a cable and dropped overboard so as to grip the bottom and restrict the vessel's movement

an object used to hold something else firmly in place the rock provided an anchor for the rope

a source of stability or security religion was his anchor

a metal cramp, bolt, or similar fitting, esp one used to make a connection to masonry
(as modifier)anchor bolt; anchor plate

the rear person in a tug-of-war team
short for anchorman, anchorwoman

at anchor (of a vessel) anchored

cast anchor, come to anchor or drop anchor to anchor a vessel

drag anchor See drag (def. 13)

ride at anchor to be anchored

weigh anchor to raise a vessel's anchor or (of a vessel) to have its anchor raised in preparation for departure

verb

to use an anchor to hold (a vessel) in one place

to fasten or be fastened securely; fix or become fixed firmly

(tr) radio television to act as an anchorman on

Word Origin for anchor

Old English ancor, from Latin ancora, from Greek ankura; related to Greek ankos bend; compare Latin uncus bent, hooked

BROWSE DICTIONARY

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anchor

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Idioms for anchor

Origin of anchor

OTHER WORDS FROM anchor

Words nearby anchor

Example sentences from the Web for anchors

British Dictionary definitions for anchors (1 of 2)

pl n

British Dictionary definitions for anchors (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for anchor

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

anchor

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Idioms for anchor

Origin of anchor

OTHER WORDS FROM anchor

Words nearby anchor

Words related to anchors

Example sentences from the Web for anchors

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pl n

British Dictionary definitions for anchors (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for anchor

British Dictionary definitions for anchors (1 of 2)