noun

anchor

anchor, mainstay, support, newscaster

The ship dropped its anchor in the bay.

The ship dropped its anchor in the bay.

She was the anchor of the family.

She was the anchor of the family.

He is the evening news anchor.

He is the evening news anchor.

to drop ((the)) anchor to lower a ship's anchor into the water The ship dropped its anchor in the bay.

the anchor of ((sth.)) the main support or stabilizing factor of something She was the anchor of the family.

Synonyms: (for a ship) mooring; (for a person) mainstay, backbone, support

From Latin 'ancora', from Greek 'ankyra' meaning 'a hook'.

Picture a heavy anchor holding a ship steady, then apply that image of stability to a person or a role.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.