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

Anderson, who is a mainstay at various fashion shows and loves clothes, was an attendee at the fifth installment of the runway show-slash-pop-up event, which was held in Milan during Milan Fashion Week. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 22 Sep. 2026

While leopard print will always be a fall fashion mainstay, other animal prints are stepping into the spotlight this season. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

As Brooks alluded to, the takeaways have been a mainstay since the start of training camp. — Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

The Vegas mainstay first appeared on Star Search in 1991 and later established himself as a prop comedian. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 Sep. 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