anchor

/ˈæŋ.kə/noun

A heavy device lowered from a ship to grip the bottom of the water and keep the vessel from drifting.

Example sentences

“The sailors dropped the anchor as they neared the shore.”
“The rusty anchor held the small fishing boat steady through the windy night.”

The figurative uses are everywhere: a news anchor holds a broadcast together, and a reliable player anchors a team.

Related words

wharfA structure built along a shore or riverbank where ships can dock and load or unload.sailboatA boat that moves through the water using a sail and the wind.dockA structure built along the edge of the water where ships and boats stop to load and unload goods or passengers.yachtA sleek, lightweight boat used for pleasure cruising or racing, fitted with sails though frequently driven by an engine.pierA platform on pillars that extends from the shore over the water, used for docking boats or walking out over the sea.kayakA small, narrow boat with a closed deck and an opening for the paddler, who sits inside and moves it with a paddle that has a blade at each end.