main

noun

\ ˈmān

Definition of main

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2a : 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

5a : mainmast

b : mainsail

main

adjective

Definition of main (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing main Learn More About main

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! See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun There are 5 layers of robust flavors in this delicious vegan main — mushrooms, celery, parsnips, butternut squash, and plenty of potatoes. — Taylor Worden, Good Housekeeping, 28 Apr. 2022 According to the city of Long Beach, the spill of 2 million to 4 million gallons of waste was caused by the failure of a 48-inch sewer main in Carson on Thursday. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2021 The second phase, to take place in 2022, will install a new 42-inch diameter main at Frankfort and Reservoir avenues. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 4 Jan. 2022 The Luhansk Information Center said one of the blasts was in a natural gas main. — Dasha Litvinova, chicagotribune.com, 19 Feb. 2022 The Luhansk Information Center said one of the blasts was in a natural gas main. — courant.com, 19 Feb. 2022 Dozens of personnel have worked to find the transmission main's shutoff valves to completely turn it off. — Tori B. Powell, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2022 The steakhouse classic, traditionally prepared tableside, gets the grill treatment here and makes for a great main for a V-day date. — Magdalena O'neal, Sunset Magazine, 28 Jan. 2022 Bagley said the main was shut down and several buildings in the area were without water service. — Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective In old Batumi, the main streets lead to the port — hence its renown as a city that looks at the sea. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 15 May 2022 It's been the backdrop for the show, and during the latest season, when Matt bought Amy out of her share of the farm, was one of the family's main storylines. — Good Housekeeping Editors, Good Housekeeping, 15 May 2022 There have also been multiple lawsuits filed over opposition to the vaccine mandate, with the main focus being the fact that very few religious exemptions had been granted. — Landon Mion, Fox News, 14 May 2022 The serpent, once the main focus of the lead characters, recedes from view, as the personal journeys and relationships between the characters come to the fore. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 May 2022 But some progress is being made and his main focus. — Laura Johnston, cleveland, 12 May 2022 And although the main focus is raising awareness, volunteers make referrals to professional psychiatrists when necessary. — Ogar Monday, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 May 2022 If winter hiking is your main focus, waterproofing and insulation are going to be crucial. — Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2022 Women For Women International's main focus is women who survived or fled wars and conflicts. — Ryan Bergeron, CNN, 4 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'main.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for main

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