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
Overlook mainstay Larry Fessenden returns with the thrilling conclusion to his quadrilogy, a thoughtful and fiercely independent monster mash that can be enjoyed on its own or marathoned with his three origin stories – Habit, Depraved and Blackout.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
So loved, folks referred to it simply as The Faucon Salad, a mainstay at the restaurant for 30 years.
—Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Jackson is producing a pair of Gollum films along with LOTR mainstays Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Prior to his deal, the Dolphins’ tight end room had three players — Jalin Conyers, Cole Turner and Zack Kuntz — that had become practice squad mainstays.
—Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
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Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026
So loved, folks referred to it simply as The Faucon Salad, a mainstay at the restaurant for 30 years.
—Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
Jackson is producing a pair of Gollum films along with LOTR mainstays Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Prior to his deal, the Dolphins’ tight end room had three players — Jalin Conyers, Cole Turner and Zack Kuntz — that had become practice squad mainstays.
—Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
Cite this Entry
“Mainstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstay. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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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