anchor
ANG-kuh
Anchor (noun) means a heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place. Example: “The sailors raised the anchor and set off at first light.”
noun
1
A heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place.
"The sailors raised the anchor and set off at first light."
"They dropped anchor in a quiet cove for the night."
"The anchor dragged along the bottom until it finally caught."
2
A person who presents a television or radio news broadcast.
"The evening anchor introduced each report and then handed over to a reporter."
"She worked as a radio anchor, presenting the morning news every weekday."
"The news anchor calmly read the breaking story live on air."
3
Something that provides steadiness, support, or a sense of security.
"His older brother was a steady anchor for the whole family."
"Routine can be an anchor when everything else feels uncertain."
"Her faith was an anchor for her during the difficult year."
verb
1
To fix something firmly in place, or to hold a ship steady with an anchor.
"We anchored the tent with heavy stones so the wind could not lift it."
"The bookshelf is anchored to the wall to stop it tipping over."
"The ferry anchored just outside the harbor."
How to use anchor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething heavy or fixed that holds another thing steady — literally a ship's anchor, or figuratively a source of stability.
Common pairings
drop anchor
weigh anchor
news anchor
anchor a discussion
anchor point
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Word forms
- Plural
- anchors
- Third person singular
- anchors
- Past tense
- anchored
Fill the gap
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The sailors raised the _____ and set off at first light.
Etymology
From Old English ancor, borrowed from Latin ancora, itself from Ancient Greek ankura.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “anchor” mean?
The word “anchor” means a heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place. In plain terms, something heavy or fixed that holds another thing steady — literally a ship's anchor, or figuratively a source of stability.
How do you pronounce “anchor”?
“Anchor” is pronounced ANG-kuh (/ˈæŋ.kəː/ in IPA).
How do you use “anchor” in a sentence?
Here is “anchor” used in a sentence: “They dropped anchor in a quiet cove for the night.”
What is another word for “anchor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “anchor” include hold.
What part of speech is “anchor”?
Depending on how it is used, “anchor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “anchor” come from?
The word “anchor” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old English ancor, borrowed from Latin ancora, itself from Ancient Greek ankura.
Is “anchor” a common word?
“Anchor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “anchor” have?
“Anchor” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place.
Why is a news presenter called an anchor?
A news anchor is the central presenter who holds a television or radio broadcast together while reports come in from correspondents. The usage fits the word's broader sense of something that provides steadiness, support, and a fixed point of reference.
What is the difference between dropping anchor and weighing anchor?
They are opposites. To drop anchor is to lower the anchor so it grips the seabed and holds the vessel in place, while to weigh anchor is to raise it in preparation for sailing away; "weigh" here is an old use of the verb meaning to lift.
Can anchor be used as a verb?
Yes. To anchor is to fix something firmly in place or to hold a ship steady with an anchor, as in "the shelves are anchored to the wall." Figurative uses are common too: a veteran player anchors a team, and a presenter anchors a broadcast.
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