Word

anchor

noun C1

UK /ˈæŋ.kəː/

US /ˈæŋ.kɚ/

Meanings

noun

a heavy device dropped to the bottom of the sea to keep a boat from moving

noun

the main presenter of a news program who introduces stories and speaks to the audience

verb

to secure something firmly so it stays in place or provides stability

Definition

An anchor is a heavy device used to keep a ship or boat from drifting.

An anchor is a heavy metal object attached to a chain or rope that is dropped to the seabed to hold a boat in place. It prevents the vessel from moving with wind or currents. In a wider sense, it can also mean the main presenter of a news program or the central thing that provides stability in a plan or system.

Examples

I watched the crew lower the anchor as the wind picked up outside the harbor.
She became the anchor of the evening broadcast after years of field reporting.
They decided to anchor the schedule around the client’s visit to avoid last-minute changes.
He relied on his mentor as an anchor when the project grew unexpectedly complex.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse the noun and verb forms and say “make an anchor” instead of “drop the anchor” or “anchor the boat.”