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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, especially 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, especially 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.
Contemporary Examples

anchoring this cast is the well-known actor Makram Khoury, who also appeared in a question-and-answer session after the film.
‘It’s Better To Jump’ Tackles Gentrification in Akka Matt Lerner November 19, 2013

An open coffin, anchoring the end of the exhibit, is a stark contrast to all the glitter and papier-mâché.
A Woman in Full Chloe Malle February 17, 2010

And on the April 2007 day that the three were exonerated, she found it necessary to be elsewhere instead of anchoring her show.
Nancy Grace Has Feelings, Too Lloyd Grove July 8, 2011

And there is no talk of Couric anchoring, except perhaps as an occasional fill-in.
ABC Deal Close for Katie Couric Howard Kurtz May 24, 2011

Olbermann did plenty of promotional tweets when he was anchoring.
Keith Olbermann’s Angry Email Trail Traces Breakup With Current TV Howard Kurtz March 31, 2012

Historical Examples

One thing alone lay in her wild fancy like a great and wonderful fact dragging the dream to earth and anchoring it there.
The Quest of the Silver Fleece W. E. B. Du Bois

On that Wolverstone turned to give his attention to the operation of anchoring.
Captain Blood Rafael Sabatini

The manner of bracing the form and of anchoring it down against the up-thrust of the wet concrete is shown by Fig. 102.
Concrete Construction Halbert P. Gillette

On the day after their anchoring, a large canoe put off from the mainland.
At the Point of the Bayonet G. A. Henty

The reasons for our anchoring and the troops not being landed were known only to the commanders-in-chief.
Hurricane Hurry W.H.G. Kingston

noun
any of several devices, usually of steel, attached to a vessel by a cable and dropped overboard so as to grip the bottom and restrict the vessel’s movement
an object used to hold something else firmly in place: the rock provided an anchor for the rope
a source of stability or security: religion was his anchor

a metal cramp, bolt, or similar fitting, esp one used to make a connection to masonry
(as modifier): anchor bolt, anchor plate

the rear person in a tug-of-war team
short for anchorman, anchorwoman

at anchor, (of a vessel) anchored
cast anchor, come to anchor, drop anchor, to anchor a vessel
drag anchor, See drag (sense 13)
ride at anchor, to be anchored
weigh anchor, to raise a vessel’s anchor or (of a vessel) to have its anchor raised in preparation for departure
verb
to use an anchor to hold (a vessel) in one place
to fasten or be fastened securely; fix or become fixed firmly
(transitive) (radio, television) to act as an anchorman on
n.

Old English ancor, borrowed 9c. from Latin ancora “anchor,” from or cognate with Greek ankyra “anchor, hook” (see ankle). A very early borrowing and said to be the only Latin nautical term used in the Germanic languages. The -ch- form emerged late 16c., a pedantic imitation of a corrupt spelling of the Latin word. The figurative sense of “that which gives stability or security” is from late 14c. Meaning “host or presenter of a TV or radio program” is from 1965, short for anchorman.
v.

c.1200, from anchor (n.). Related: Anchored; anchoring.

From Acts 27:29, 30, 40, it would appear that the Roman vessels carried several anchors, which were attached to the stern as well as to the prow. The Roman anchor, like the modern one, had two teeth or flukes. In Heb. 6:19 the word is used metaphorically for that which supports or keeps one steadfast in the time of trial or of doubt. It is an emblem of hope. “If you fear, Put all your trust in God: that anchor holds.”