main stem

noun

: a main trunk or channel: such as
a
: the main course of a river or stream
b
: the main street of a city or town

Examples of main stem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web At least 123 more hydropower dams have been proposed, including 11 on the river’s main stem. Byrichard Stone, science.org, 30 May 2023 Apply 2-4 inches around plants, making sure there’s space cleared around main stems and trunks to avoid rotting. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023 Today the Snail Darter can be found along 400 miles of the river's main stem and multiple tributaries. Robert Kunzig, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 Vining tomatoes are commonly grown as cordons, trained to grow upwards with one main stem, with side shoots removed to discourage a more branching form. Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 25 July 2023 Separately, the Cambodian government has halted dam building on the Mekong main stem until at least 2030. Byrichard Stone, science.org, 30 May 2023 In general, tomato plants produce main stems and main leaf branches. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2023 Divide by removing new tubers from main stem. oregonlive, 5 Apr. 2021 Tomatoes, unlike most plants, can produce roots along their main stem. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of main stem was in 1671

Dictionary Entries Near main stem

Cite this Entry

“Main stem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/main%20stem. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!