anchor

The definition of an anchor is a weight dropped into the water to stop the movement of a boat or other floating object.

(noun)

A heavy weight connected to a ship by a chain is an example of a type of anchor.

Anchor is defined as to fix or fasten.

(verb)

An example of anchor is to secure a boat to the dock with rope.

See anchor in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a heavy object, usually a shaped iron weight with flukes, lowered by cable or chain to the bottom of a body of water to keep a vessel from drifting
any device that holds something else secure
anything that gives or seems to give stability or security
a person who anchors a team, newscast, etc.

Origin: ME anker < OE ancor < L anc(h)ora < Gr ankyra, an anchor, hook < IE base *ank-, to bend > ankle

adjective

designating the final leg, or stage, of a relay race

transitive verb

to keep from drifting, giving way, etc., by or as by an anchor
to serve as the end person for (a tug-of-war team)
to serve as the final contestant for (a relay team, bowling team, etc.)
Radio, TV to serve as coordinator of the various reports and as chief reporter for (a newscast)

intransitive verb

See anchor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Nautical A heavy object attached to a vessel by a cable or rope and cast overboard to keep the vessel in place either by its weight or by its flukes, which grip the bottom.
A rigid point of support, as for securing a rope.
A source of security or stability.
Sports
a. An athlete, usually the strongest member of a team, who performs the last stage of a relay race or other competition.
b. The person at the end of a tug-of-war team.
An anchorperson.

verb an·chored, an·chor·ing, an·chors

verb, transitive

To hold fast by or as if by an anchor. See Synonyms at fasten.
Sports To serve as an anchor for (a team or competition).
To narrate or coordinate (a newscast).
To provide or form an anchor store for: Two major stores anchor each end of the shopping mall.

verb, intransitive

Nautical To drop anchor or lie at anchor.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English anker, ancher

Origin: , from Old English ancor

Origin: , from Latin ancora, anchora

Origin: , from Greek ankura

(click for a larger image)