Meaning & use
anchor bolts
Last updated
Meaning
nounpluraltechnical
Strong metal bolts used to fasten structures or machines firmly to a concrete or stone base.
Grammar: Usually used in the plural; the singular 'anchor bolt' refers to one bolt.
Patterns
- anchor bolts secure something
- anchor bolts in concrete
- tighten anchor bolts
The workers tightened the anchor bolts to secure the steel column to the foundation.
Anchor bolts must be strong enough to resist wind and earthquake forces.
Before pouring the concrete, they placed the anchor bolts in the correct positions.
Word forms
| singular | anchor bolt |
|---|
Common combinations
- anchor bolts secure
- The anchor bolts secure the base plate to the concrete floor.
- anchor bolts in concrete
- The engineer checked the anchor bolts in concrete for corrosion.
- tighten anchor bolts
- Use a torque wrench to tighten the anchor bolts.
- anchor bolt holes
- Drill the anchor bolt holes exactly where the plan shows.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bolts
- A general word for threaded fasteners; 'anchor bolts' specifically fasten things to a base.
- fasteners
- A broader category that includes screws, nails, and bolts; 'anchor bolts' is more specific.
Word family
Commonly confused: anchor bolts or screw?
anchor bolts vs screw
A screw is a fastener turned into wood or metal; an anchor bolt is typically set in concrete and holds a structure down.
Practice
The engineer checked the _____ to make sure the machine was firmly attached to the floor.
Choose one answer.
The plural 'anchor bolts' fits because the sentence refers to multiple bolts holding the machine. 'Anchor bolt' is singular and would need 'a' or 'the' before it; 'anchors bolt' is not a standard compound; 'anchoring bolts' is not the usual term.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “anchor bolts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.