anchorage

/ˈæŋkərɪdʒ/

/ˈeɪŋkərɪdʒ/

Other forms: anchorages

A place in the ocean where ships can lower their anchors and stay a while is called an anchorage. A large cruise ship in a small port will often wait at an anchorage while passengers disembark into smaller boats.

An anchorage is similar to a mooring, a place to park your boat. But moorings are close to shore and allow you to tie up your boat. For larger vessels, an anchorage allows them to toss a heavy anchor over the side in deep water. Back in the days of enormous sailing ships, an anchorage was also a place to pause and wait for the wind to change. You can also use this maritime term to mean "the act of condition of anchoring" or "a fee for anchoring."

Definitions of anchorage

1. noun

   place for vessels to anchor
   synonyms: anchorage ground

   types:

   berth, moorage, mooring, slip

   a place where a craft can be made fast

   roads, roadstead

   a partly sheltered anchorage

   type of:

   area, country

   a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
2. noun

   the act of anchoring
   type of:

   arrival

   the act of arriving at a certain place
3. noun

   a fee for anchoring
   type of:

   fee

   a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
4. noun

   the condition of being secured to a base
   “the plant needs a firm anchorage”

   “the mother provides emotional anchorage for the entire family”

   type of:

   condition, status

   a state at a particular time