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
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
Robert V. Remini2
: a ship's stay (see stay entry 1 sense 1) extending from the maintop forward usually to the foot of the foremast
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
Cashmere mainstays, classic denim, and leather goods are all within the markdowns, seeing savings up to 50% off.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2025
But there’s an unintended consequence of making the Heeler family a mainstay in our home.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 26 Dec. 2025
The Atickyaid Mini First Aid Kit should become a mainstay in both your car and your hiking pack at just $10, while the Motorbuddy Car Safety Hammer is another pocket-sized essential marked down to $16.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
From their start in 1984 as a bait shop selling po-boys to their expansion into a full-service restaurant, Salvo’s has been a mainstay in Plaquemines Parish for more than 40 years.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
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Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2025
But there’s an unintended consequence of making the Heeler family a mainstay in our home.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 26 Dec. 2025
The Atickyaid Mini First Aid Kit should become a mainstay in both your car and your hiking pack at just $10, while the Motorbuddy Car Safety Hammer is another pocket-sized essential marked down to $16.
—Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
From their start in 1984 as a bait shop selling po-boys to their expansion into a full-service restaurant, Salvo’s has been a mainstay in Plaquemines Parish for more than 40 years.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
Cite this Entry
“Mainstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstay. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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