Dictionary
1anchor
noun, an·chor often attributive \ˈaŋ-kər\
: a heavy device that is attached to a boat or ship by a rope or chain and that is thrown into the water to hold the boat or ship in place
: a person or thing that provides strength and support
: a large store that attracts customers and other businesses to an area (such as a shopping mall)
Full Definition of ANCHOR
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
3
: something that serves to hold an object firmly
4
: an object shaped like a ship's anchor
5
: an anchorman or anchorwoman
6
: the member of a team (as a relay team) that competes last
7
: a large business (as a department store) that attracts customers and other businesses to a shopping center or mall
8
: a fixed object (as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured
— an·chor·less \-ləs\ adjective
— at anchor
: being anchored
See anchor defined for English-language learners
See anchor defined for kids
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Illustration of ANCHOR
Origin of ANCHOR
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: before 12th century
Related to ANCHOR
- Synonyms
- anchorperson, newscaster, newsreader [chiefly British]
2anchor
verb
: to keep a ship or boat from moving by using an anchor
: to connect (something) to a solid base : to hold (something) firmly in place
: to be the strongest and most important part of (something)
an·choredan·chor·ing\-k(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of ANCHOR
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 — G. D. Boone> <anchoring the evening news>
intransitive verb
1
: to cast anchor
2
: to become fixed
See anchor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ANCHOR
13th century
ANCHORED Defined for Kids
1anchor
noun an·chor \ˈaŋ-kər\
Definition of ANCHOR for Kids
1
: a heavy device attached to a ship by a cable or chain and used to hold the ship in place when thrown overboard
2
: someone or something that provides strength and support <He is the family's anchor.>
2anchor
verb
an·choredan·chor·ing
Definition of ANCHOR for Kids
1
: to hold or become held in place with an anchor <The riverboat was anchored at a sandy beach below tall bluffs. — Janet Shaw, Meet Kirsten>
2
: to fasten tightly <The cables are anchored to the bridge.>
Medical Dictionary
anchor
transitive verb an·chor \ˈaŋ-kər\
an·choredan·chor·ing \-k(ə-)riŋ\
Medical Definition of ANCHOR
: to relate psychologically to a point or frame of reference (as to a person, a situation, an object, or a conceptual scheme)
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