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

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

²main

adjective

Definition of MAIN

1

: chief, principal <the main idea>

2

: fully exerted : sheer <main force> <by main strength>

3

obsolete : of or relating to a broad expanse (as of sea)

4

: connected with or located near the mainmast or mainsail

5

: expressing the chief predication in a complex sentence <the main clause>

Examples of MAIN

1. Speed is the main advantage of this approach.
2. The company's main office is located in New York.
3. driving down the main road
4. This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer.
5. And now for the main event of the evening!

Origin of MAIN

Middle English, from Old English mǣgen-, from mǣgen strength

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MAIN

Synonyms

arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, foremost, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Antonyms

last, least

Related Words

distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms

inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

Main

geographical name \ˈmīn, ˈmān\

Definition of MAIN

river 325 miles (523 kilometers) S cen Germany rising in N Bavaria in the Fichtelgebirge & flowing W into the Rhine

Rhymes with MAIN

bine, brine, chine, cline, dine, dyne, fine, Jain, line, mine, nine, pine, Quine, Rhine, rind, shine, shrine, sign, spine, spline, stein, swine, syne, thine, tine, trine, twine, vine, whine, wine