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
Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.
—Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The company made the announcement at CrimeCon, an event in Denver centered on the burgeoning world of true-crime programming, a mainstay of television and now podcasting.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Even so, the journey from starry-eyed spectator to industry mainstay was anything but a straight line for the actress.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Lifestyle Changes While medications are the mainstay treatment for IgA nephropathy, there are several lifestyle changes that are important to the overall plan.
—Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
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Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The company made the announcement at CrimeCon, an event in Denver centered on the burgeoning world of true-crime programming, a mainstay of television and now podcasting.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Even so, the journey from starry-eyed spectator to industry mainstay was anything but a straight line for the actress.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Lifestyle Changes While medications are the mainstay treatment for IgA nephropathy, there are several lifestyle changes that are important to the overall plan.
—Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 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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