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

However, a mainstay is the wine slushie ($12-19) in moscato, blackberry, rosé and red sangria. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

The podcast’s YouTube channel has amassed more than 770,000 followers, cementing itself as a mainstay on the comedy podcast charts. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026

Brewer too was a mainstay at minicamp despite his looming contract situation. — Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Traditional mainstays include country music, a variety of food options, craft beer tent, a variety of family activities and more. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mainstay

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

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