main

¹main

noun \ˈmān\

Definition of MAIN

1

: physical strength : force —used in the phrase with might and main

2

a : mainland b : high sea

3

: the chief part : essential point <they are in the main well-trained>

4

: a pipe, duct, or circuit which carries the combined flow of tributary branches of a utility system

5

a : mainmast b : mainsail

Examples of MAIN

1. My radio runs either off batteries or off the mains.
2. Turn off the water at the mains.

Origin of MAIN

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Old English mǣgen; akin to Old High German magan strength, Old English magan to be able; in other senses, from ²main or by shortening — more at may

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to MAIN

Synonyms: beef, brawn, muscle, thew

Related Words: force, might, potency, power, puissance, sinew; energy, vigor

Near Antonyms: impotence, impotency, weakness; debilitation, debility, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, infirmity

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with MAIN

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne