anchor

noun

• 1a heavy object attached to a cable or chain and used to moor a ship to the sea bottom, typically having a metal shank with a pair of curved, barbed flukes at one end: the boat, no longer held fast by its anchor, swung wildly [as modifier]:an anchor chain
• (anchors) British informal the brakes of a car: this idiot in front slammed on his anchors at a crossing

• 2a person or thing which provides stability or confidence in an otherwise uncertain situation:the European Community is the economic anchor of the New Europe

• 3 (also anchor tenant or anchor store) a large and prestigious department store prominently sited in a new shopping centre.

• 4chiefly North American an anchorman or anchorwoman: he signed off after nineteen years as CBS news anchor

verb

• 1moor (a ship) to the sea bottom with an anchor:the ship was anchored in the lee of the island [no object, with adverbial of place]:we anchored in the harbour
• secure firmly in position:the tail is used as a hook with which the fish anchors itself to coral
• provide with a firm basis or foundation:it is important that policy be anchored to some acceptable theoretical basis

• 2chiefly North American present and coordinate (a television or radio programme): she anchored a television documentary series in the early 1980s