I. an ‧ chor 1 /ˈæŋkə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 800-900 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: anchora , from Greek ankyra ]
1 . a piece of heavy metal that is lowered to the bottom of the sea, a lake etc to prevent a ship or boat moving
at anchor
The ship was at anchor.
We dropped anchor a few yards offshore.
The next morning, they weighed anchor (=lifted the anchor) and began to move south again.
2 . especially American English someone who reads the news on TV and introduces news reports SYN newsreader British English :
Dan Rather, anchor of the CBC Evening News
3 . someone or something that provides a feeling of support and safety:
Dad was the anchor of the family.
II. anchor 2 BrE AmE verb
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to lower the anchor on a ship or boat to hold it in one place SYN moor :
Three tankers were anchored in the harbor.
2 . [transitive usually passive] to fasten something firmly so that it cannot move:
The shelves should be securely anchored to the wall.
3 . be anchored in something to be strongly connected with a particular system, way of life etc:
John’s outlook has always been anchored in the political mainstream.
4 . [transitive] to provide a feeling of support, safety, or help for someone or an organization:
Steve anchors the team’s defense.
Her life was anchored by her religion.
5 . [transitive] American English to be the person who reads the news and introduces reports on television SYN present :
Collins anchors the 6 o'clock news.