anchor

an|chor1 [ `æŋkər ] noun count *

1. ) a heavy object that is dropped into the water to prevent a boat from moving:

at anchor (=held still using an anchor): luxury yachts at anchor in the port

drop anchor: We dropped anchor off the coast of Cape Cod.

2. ) someone who presents the news on a television or radio news program:

Diane Sawyer, co-anchor of ABC's Prime Time Live

3. ) someone or something that is strong and reliable, and so makes people feel safe and confident:

The exchange rate should be an anchor in inflation control.

Bates is the emotional anchor of the movie.

a ) BUSINESS an important store or business that attracts other businesses to the area where it is

anchor

an|chor 2 [ `æŋkər ] verb *

1. ) intransitive or transitive to prevent a boat from moving by dropping its anchor into the water:

We anchored off the Georgia coast.

2. ) transitive to present a television or radio program, especially the news:

The program has been anchored by McDonald since 1992.

3. ) transitive usually passive to fix something firmly somewhere:

Small marine plants were anchored to the rocks.

be anchored in something

to be firmly based on a particular set of ideas or beliefs:

Their approach is firmly anchored in a Christian world view.