—anchor /ˈæŋ.kər/ aep /-kɚ/
noun [C] (ON A BOAT)
► C2 a heavy metal object, usually shaped like a cross with curved arms, on a strong rope or chain, that is dropped from a boat into the water to prevent the boat from moving away: » We dropped anchor (= lowered the anchor into the water) and stopped.» It was time to weigh anchor (= pull up the anchor and sail away).See picture: anchor 
Thesaurus+: ↑Parts of ships and boats
• • •
Extra Examples:» The captain of the ship ordered his men to lower the anchor.» The missing boat was last seen at anchor off the north Wales coast.» There's a huge metal anchor on display in the entrance to the Maritime Museum.» The ship's anchor is attached to an enormous length of chain.» For several hours the oil rig was adrift and dragging its anchors in the North Sea.noun [C] (SUPPORT)
► C2 someone or something that gives support when needed: » She was my anchor when things were difficult for me.» This treaty has been called the anchor (= strongest part) of their foreign policy.Thesaurus+: ↑Backing, supporting and defending , ↑Defending and protectingnoun [C] MAINLY US (BROADCASTER)
► F0 an ANCHORMAN(Cf. ↑anchorman) or ANCHORWOMAN(Cf. ↑anchorwoman)Thesaurus+: ↑Radio and television presentersverb (FASTEN) ↑Verb Endings for anchor
C2 [I or T] to lower an anchor into the water in order to stop a boat from moving away
Thesaurus+: ↑Arriving and departing by boat or shipC2 [T] to make something or someone stay in one position by fastening them firmly:
» We anchored ourselves to the rocks with a rope.Thesaurus+: ↑Fastening and tyingverb [T] MAINLY US (BROADCAST) ↑Verb Endings for anchor
► F0 to act as the anchorman or anchorwoman of a programme: » She will anchor the new morning news show.Thesaurus+: ↑Broadcasting in general