What does anchor mean?
An anchor is fundamentally a heavy object, typically with flukes or arms, attached to a vessel by a chain or rope and lowered to the seabed to keep the ship from drifting. Beyond its literal maritime meaning, the word has taken on rich figurative weight: an anchor is any person, belief, or thing that provides steadiness and security amid uncertainty — a trusted friend might be described as someone's emotional anchor. In broadcasting, an anchor is the chief presenter who guides a news programme, while in athletics the anchor is the final runner in a relay, often the fastest. As a verb, to anchor means to fix something securely in place, whether physically or metaphorically. Derived from ancient Greek via Latin, the word carries connotations of reliability, grounding, and permanence, making it a versatile and evocative term across nautical, journalistic, sporting, and everyday contexts.
A heavy object, typically metal with curved flukes, attached to a vessel by a cable and cast into the water to grip the seabed and hold the vessel in place; more broadly, any person or thing serving as a source of stability or support.
"The sailors dropped anchor just off the rocky coast to wait out the storm."
The figurative noun sense (emotional anchor, mainstay) is extremely common in everyday language.
To secure or fix something firmly in position, whether literally (as a ship at anchor) or figuratively (grounding an idea, argument, or person).
"The tent was anchored to the ground with heavy stakes before nightfall."
Standard plural form; used both literally (multiple ship anchors) and figuratively (several stabilising people or things).
"The museum's collection includes anchors recovered from centuries-old shipwrecks."
The word 'anchor' traces back over four thousand years — ancient Greek mariners used lead-weighted hooks so essential that losing one was considered bad luck enough to warrant superstition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anchor
The word 'anchor' derives from the ancient Greek 'ankura', which itself may relate to 'ankon' meaning 'elbow' or 'curve', reflecting the hooked shape of early anchors. It passed into Latin as 'ancora' and entered Old English through ecclesiastical and maritime use. Cognates appear across Germanic languages, such as German 'Anker' and Dutch 'anker'. The figurative senses — particularly the broadcast and emotional meanings — are much more recent developments.
Related word forms
How anchor is actually used
Common in both formal and informal registers. The figurative sense (a person as an 'anchor') is very common in everyday speech. 'News anchor' is primarily American usage; British English historically favoured 'presenter', though 'anchor' is now widely understood.
Easily confused with anchor
Ankle is the joint connecting the foot and leg, while an anchor is a device that holds a vessel in place or a source of stability.