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
In the current era, in which every bedrock element of the media business is in flux, however, even mainstays are being torn up at the roots.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
While cutting back on salt intake has long been a mainstay in treating high blood pressure, new research suggests that upping potassium intake might have a greater effect.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
The annual tradition dates back to the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, according to the White House, and save for war and food shortages, has been a mainstay of Pennsylvania Avenue since 1878.
—Zach Thompson, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
What started as an alumni event, the Oyster Bake is now open to the public and one of Fiesta’s mainstays, featuring food and music.
—Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
While cutting back on salt intake has long been a mainstay in treating high blood pressure, new research suggests that upping potassium intake might have a greater effect.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2025
The annual tradition dates back to the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, according to the White House, and save for war and food shortages, has been a mainstay of Pennsylvania Avenue since 1878.
—Zach Thompson, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
What started as an alumni event, the Oyster Bake is now open to the public and one of Fiesta’s mainstays, featuring food and music.
—Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 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 3 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share