main

1 of 2

noun

1
: physical strength : force
used in the phrase with might and main
The next instant we were away down the river, clawing with might and main to keep out of the woods.Mark Twain
2
a
b
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
b

main

2 of 2

adjective

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 in a Sentence

Noun My radio runs either off batteries or off the mains. Turn off the water at the mains. Adjective Speed is the main advantage of this approach. The company's main office is located in New York. driving down the main road This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer. And now for the main event of the evening!
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Great Lakes Water Authority has completed repair on the break in a 30-inch water transmission main in Northville. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024 Jesse shares two vegetarian mains that hold their own against the Big Bird: Creamy Mushroom Lasagna and Cheesy Cabbage Gratin, along with what to do with extra pie dough in the freezer (top a savory pot pie with it or make pandowdy!). The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023 Sheet Pan Persian-Style Stuffed Delicata Squash With Broccolini and Carrots Looking for a super hearty main? Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 And hearty soups or stews can serve as a delicious main your guests will be drooling over. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2024 Eater recommends starting every meal here with the buttermilk biscuits and honey butter before moving on to the salads and mains. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 2 Jan. 2024 For a vegetarian main, Chris recommends his Twice-Roasted Squash with Parmesan Butter and Grains. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 14 Dec. 2023 Serve it as a side or as a vegetarian main. 10 of 56Courtesy of Trader Joe’s Vegan Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative, $4 Non-dairy friends and vegans will appreciate this whipping cream, especially during the holiday season of creamy dishes and decadent desserts. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023 The two main of squash are summer and winter, with each having very different characteristics. Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2023
Adjective
The Biden administration will not send U.S. troops to Haiti to help its national police respond to a rapidly evolving security crisis, as a united front of gang leaders has led attacks on the country’s main seaport, airports and prisons, a White House official told McClatchy. Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Some secondary roads will close during the winter, but main routes, like Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, and Laurel Creek Road are open all year, depending on the weather. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 The rebooted version followed the general beats of its predecessor, with each show centering acceptance as its main premise. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 The Verdict La Palma sits like a stark white sugar cube plonked into the heart of Capri’s main town, a couple minutes’ walk from the Piazzetta. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Both teams took their main rotation players out late in the fourth, with the Lakers leading 116-93. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2024 His main contribution to the Grammy segment was the spot in which Stevie Wonder paid tribute to Tony Bennett. Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2024 His main rival, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, gave a hostile speech to the conventioneers and then led a walkout by his supporters. Ron Elving, NPR, 3 Mar. 2024 For a main course there was chicken cooked on the bone for flavor, with eggplant caponata and provolone ($24). John Mariani, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'main.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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 main entry 2 or by shortening — more at may entry 1

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of main was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near main

Cite this Entry

“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/main. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

main

1 of 2 noun
1
: physical strength : force
used in the phrase with might and main
2
3
: the chief part : essential point
they are in the main well trained
4
: a principal pipe or circuit of a utility system
gas main
water main

main

2 of 2 adjective
1
: chief entry 1 sense 2, principal
the main idea
2
: pure sense 3, sheer
by main force
3
: being a clause that is capable of standing alone as a simple sentence but is part of a larger sentence that includes a subordinate clause or another main clause
mainly adverb

Geographical Definition

Main

geographical name

ˈmīn How to pronounce Main (audio)
ˈmān
river 325 miles (523 kilometers) long in south central Germany rising in northern Bavaria in the Fichtelgebirge and flowing west into the Rhine River

More from Merriam-Webster on main

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