anchor

Noun

• a television reporter who coordinates a broadcast to which several correspondents contribute

• a central cohesive source of support and stability
  • faith is his anchor
    
  • the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money
    
  • he is the linchpin of this firm
    

• a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving

Verb

• secure a vessel with an anchor
  • We anchored at Baltimore
    

• fix firmly and stably
  • anchor the lamppost in concrete
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  anchorman , anchorperson , mainstay , keystone , backbone , linchpin , lynchpin , ground tackle , cast anchor , drop anchor , ground