anchor

anchor

I

an‧chor¹ /ˈæŋkə $ -ər/ noun [countable]
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

anchor² 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.