mainspring
noun
main·spring
ˈmān-ˌspriŋ 
1
: the chief spring in a mechanism especially of a watch or clock
2
: the chief or most powerful motive, agent, or cause
Examples of mainspring in a Sentence
Agriculture is the mainspring of their economy.
Recent Examples on the Web
The mainsprings of political change in Iran remain internal.
—
Eric Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2023
The tourbillon cage is framed by a thin bridge which secures the going train at the left, linking the regulating organ to the hour and minute display at the top of the dial, with the mainspring directly underneath.
—Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
This undying, uninterrupted devotion to their fanbase is, perhaps, the mainspring of the band’s success.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 27 Mar. 2024
The mainspring barrel was redesigned, and Jaeger replaced some key components with silicon parts, which makes energy transmission smoother by reducing friction when the watch is running.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 11 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mainspring 
Eric Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2023
The tourbillon cage is framed by a thin bridge which secures the going train at the left, linking the regulating organ to the hour and minute display at the top of the dial, with the mainspring directly underneath.
—Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
This undying, uninterrupted devotion to their fanbase is, perhaps, the mainspring of the band’s success.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 27 Mar. 2024
The mainspring barrel was redesigned, and Jaeger replaced some key components with silicon parts, which makes energy transmission smoother by reducing friction when the watch is running.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 11 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mainspring
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mainspring.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mainspring
Cite this Entry
“Mainspring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainspring. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mainspring
noun
main·spring
ˈmān-ˌspriŋ
1
: the principal spring in a mechanical device (as a watch or clock)
2
: the chief or most powerful motive or cause
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