anchor meaning

anchor as a noun

1. a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

   Synonyms: ground tackle

   Type of: hook

   Kinds: grapnel, mooring anchor, mushroom anchor, sheet anchor

2. a central cohesive source of support and stability
   • faith is his anchor
   • the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money
   • he is the linchpin of this firm

   Synonyms: mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin

   Type of: support

3. a television reporter who coordinates a broadcast to which several correspondents contribute

   Synonyms: anchorman, anchorperson

   Type of: television reporter

anchor as a verb

1. fix firmly and stably
   • anchor the lamppost in concrete

   Synonyms: ground

   Type of: fasten

2. secure a vessel with an anchor
   • We anchored at Baltimore

   Synonyms: cast anchor, drop anchor

   Type of: fasten

   Related forms: anchorage

anchor in a sentence

• They usually use an anchor to hold a yacht in place.
• The ship is at anchor in the harbor.
• The news anchor announced he wasn't wearing any pants.
• A large number of boats lay at anchor in the bay.
• This ship is outfitted with a windlass to heave up the anchor.

How to pronounce anchor

anchor is pronounced /ˈæŋkə/ in British English and /ˈæŋkɚ/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Words that rhyme with anchor

• banker