any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold.

any similar device for holding fast or checking motion

an anchor of stones.

any device for securing a suspension or cantilever bridge at either end.

any of various devices, as a metal tie, for binding one part of a structure to another.

a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay

Hope was his only anchor.

Radio and Television . a person who is the main broadcaster on a program of news, sports, etc., and who usually also serves as coordinator of all participating broadcasters during the program; anchorman or anchorwoman; anchorperson.

Television . a program that attracts many viewers who are likely to stay tuned to the network for the programs that follow.

a well-known store, esp. a department store, that attracts customers to the shopping center in which it is located.

Slang . automotive brakes.

Military . a key position in defense lines.

Also, anchorman. Sports .

the person on a team, esp. a relay team, who competes last.

the person farthest to the rear on a tug-of-war team.

to hold fast by an anchor.

to fix or fasten; affix firmly

The button was anchored to the cloth with heavy thread.

to act or serve as an anchor for

He anchored the evening news.

to drop anchor; lie or ride at anchor

The ship anchored at dawn.

to keep hold or be firmly fixed

The insect anchored fast to its prey.

Sports, Radio and Television . to act or serve as an anchor. ?

at anchor

held in place by an anchor

The luxury liner is at anchor in the harbor.

drag anchor

(of a vessel) to move with a current or wind because an anchor has failed to hold.

drop anchor

to anchor a vessel

They dropped anchor in a bay to escape the storm.

weigh anchor

to raise the anchor

We will weigh anchor at dawn.

verb

detach , let go , loosen , unfasten

noun

ballast , bower , comfort , defense , fastener , foothold , grapnel , grappling iron , grip , hold , hook , kedge , mainstay , mooring , mud hook , pillar , protection , safeguard , security , staff , stay , support , (small) kedge , crown , drogue , grapline , hawse , hawser , killick , killock

verb

attach , berth , catch , dock , drop , fasten , fix , imbed , make port , moor , plant , secure , stay , tie , tie up , ballast , bind , connect , grapnel , hook , killick , newscaster , rivet , safeguard , support , trip , weigh