anchor

1 of 2

noun

an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər How to pronounce anchor (audio)
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 adjective

Illustration of 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

anchor

2 of 2

verb

anchored; anchoring ˈaŋ-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce anchor (audio)

transitive verb

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
anchoring the evening news

intransitive verb

1
: to cast anchor
2
: to become fixed
Phrases
at anchor
: being anchored
a ship at anchor

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 Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
One of the most striking parts of the show is the Kells' home, the Cliff House, a sprawling mansion with a massive anchor sunken into the front of the house. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 May 2025 On Wednesday, May 21, morning news anchor Olivia Jaquith opened her live, three-hour telecast with some exciting news about her incoming baby, who was already two days past his due date. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Verb
Hyman himself scored 54 times last season and another 16 in the playoffs, the latter of which led the NHL, while mostly anchored to McDavid’s wing. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 26 May 2025 Their portfolios may look different across geographies, sectors, and holdings, but they’re all anchored by the same foundation: clarity of thought, conviction in process, and discipline under pressure. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for anchor

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anchor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anchor. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

anchor

1 of 2 noun
an·​chor ˈaŋ-kər How to pronounce anchor (audio)
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 How to pronounce anchor (audio)
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 How to pronounce anchor (audio)
anchored; anchoring -k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce anchor (audio)
: to relate psychologically to a point or frame of reference (as to a person, a situation, an object, or a conceptual scheme)

More from Merriam-Webster on anchor

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