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

The group also operates La Siesta Premium Hàng Bè, La Siesta Classic Mã Mây, and La Siesta Classic Hàng Thùng, though Premium Lakeside is the mainstay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Although the news had not been formally announced, Antonelli had been chosen by Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton, the mainstay of the team and the most successful driver in the history of the sport. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Shares tumbled more than 5% after the streaming mainstay's full-year revenue forecast came in below analysts' expectations. — Sean Conlon,hugh Leask,lee Ying Shan,deena Zaidi, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Morgan Supersport The Morgan Motor Company has been a boutique mainstay of British coachbuilding since 1909, and the Morgan family has remained involved ever since. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 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