mainstay

noun

main·​stay ˈmān-ˌstā 

plural mainstays

1

a

: a crucial or key part of something

Fish is the mainstay of their diet.

Tourism is a mainstay of the city's economy.

The mainstay of treatment for chronic hives of unknown origin is antihistamine medications.

—Mayo Clinic Health Letter

b

: someone or something that is a principal or reliable support or resource

Tourism is one of the city's economic mainstays.

Her immense pride in him and unquestioning support were among the few mainstays in his life.

—Robert V. Remini

2

: a ship's stay (see stay entry 1 sense 1) extending from the maintop forward usually to the foot of the foremast

Synonyms of mainstay

• anchor
• backbone
• pillar
• standby

Examples of mainstay in a Sentence

Fish is a mainstay of their diet.

My mother has always been the mainstay of our family.

Recent Examples on the Web

Held across two soundstages at The Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood, the guest list reflected the mix, with attendees ranging from red carpet newcomer Mel Robbins to Hollywood mainstay Amy Poehler, both tied to the Golden Globes’ inaugural Best Podcast category debuting Sunday. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 9 Jan. 2026

In the face of the fentanyl crisis, the mainstay of harm reduction has been the distribution in vulnerable communities of naloxone. —Albert Chern, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

The red carpet mainstay asked if James had advice for Storrie's first appearance at the show, previously known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, before getting into questions about Storrie's role in the explicit HBO Max romance. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Also named to Team Slovakia was Minnesota Duluth sophomore Adam Gajan, who has been the Bulldogs’ mainstay in goal this season. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mainstay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

mainstay

noun

main·​stay -ˌstā 

1

: a large strong rope running from the maintop of a ship usually to the foot of the foremast

2

: a chief support

the mainstay of the family