co-anchor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, professional, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “co-anchor” mean?
A person who presents a television or radio news programme alongside one or more other presenters, sharing equal prominence and responsibility.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who presents a television or radio news programme alongside one or more other presenters, sharing equal prominence and responsibility.
Can also refer to the action of jointly hosting such a programme or, less commonly, to a person who jointly anchors a team, project, or event in a metaphorical sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English for news broadcasts. In the UK, terms like 'co-presenter' or simply 'presenter' might be used with similar meaning, but 'co-anchor' is understood.
Connotations
In both, it connotes a formal, professional partnership in a news context. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American media discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “co-anchor” in a Sentence
co-anchor (sth) with sbserve/act as co-anchor of sthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “co-anchor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will co-anchor the election night coverage with David.
- They have co-anchored the breakfast news for five years.
American English
- He co-anchors the evening news with two colleagues.
- She was asked to co-anchor the special report.
adjective
British English
- He has a co-anchor role on the programme.
- The co-anchor position became available.
American English
- She is his co-anchor partner.
- The search for a new co-anchor journalist is on.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typical; used for business news programmes specifically.
Academic
Rare, except in media studies discussing news formats.
Everyday
Understood but not commonly used in casual conversation.
Technical
Standard term in broadcast journalism and television production.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “co-anchor”
- Writing as one word ('coanchor') or as two separate words ('co anchor'). The hyphen is standard.
- Using it for any TV host, rather than specifically for news/current affairs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Co-anchor' is specific to news and current affairs programmes, implying a journalistic role. 'Co-host' is broader and used for any type of show (talk shows, entertainment, awards ceremonies).
Yes, commonly. For example: 'She will co-anchor the debate coverage.'
Yes, though a pair is most common. A news programme could theoretically have three or more co-anchors, though it might then be described as a 'team' or 'panel'.
Yes. The standard and most widely accepted spelling in dictionaries and professional writing is with a hyphen ('co-anchor'). Omitting it ('coanchor') or writing it as two words is considered non-standard.
A person who presents a television or radio news programme alongside one or more other presenters, sharing equal prominence and responsibility.
Co-anchor is usually formal, professional, journalistic in register.
Co-anchor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊ ˌæŋ.kər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊ ˌæŋ.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Anchor's chair (shared by co-anchors)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'co-' as in 'co-pilot'—two people sharing the controls of the news 'ship' (broadcast).
Conceptual Metaphor
NEWS DELIVERY IS A JOINT VENTURE / SHARED STEERING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'co-anchor' MOST appropriately used?