1an·chor 
/ˈæŋkɚ/ noun
plural an·chors /ˈæŋkɚ/ noun [count] 1 : a heavy device that is attached to a boat or ship by a rope or chain and that is thrown into the water to hold the boat or ship in place
▪ The ship dropped anchor in a secluded harbor. ▪ Several yachts stood/sat/rode at anchor [=were held in place by an anchor] in the harbor. ▪ The crew weighed anchor [=lifted the anchor] and prepared to sail. 2 a : a person or thing that provides strength and support
▪ a star quarterback who has been the anchor [=the most important part] of a football team's offense for many years ▪ He described his wife as the emotional anchor of his life. ▪ a local bank that has been the financial anchor of the community
b : a large store that attracts customers and other businesses to an area (such as a shopping mall)
▪ an anchor store 3 chiefly US : someone who reads the news on a television broadcast : an anchorman or anchorwoman
▪ a television news anchor
▪ The ship dropped anchor in a secluded harbor. ▪ Several yachts stood/sat/rode at anchor [=were held in place by an anchor] in the harbor. ▪ The crew weighed anchor [=lifted the anchor] and prepared to sail.
▪ a star quarterback who has been the anchor [=the most important part] of a football team's offense for many years ▪ He described his wife as the emotional anchor of his life. ▪ a local bank that has been the financial anchor of the community
b : a large store that attracts customers and other businesses to an area (such as a shopping mall)
▪ an anchor store
▪ a television news anchor
