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
Hikerkind 8 Pocket Pant These stylish pants from Hikerkind have become a mainstay in my hiking rotation, especially for cooler or longer days.
—Ariana Dickson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
It was previously announced that the prior entertainer of the year winner will be this year’s sole host, after coming on in 2024 as a third host and sort of sidekick to longtime mainstays Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
On Halloween, Murphy revealed the cast for the upcoming 13th season of American Horror Story, which is set to star Oscar nominee Ariana Grande, returning series regular Jessica Lange, as well as mainstays Angela Bassett, Emma Roberts, Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 5 Nov. 2025
As one of television’s longest-running franchises, the series continues to be an ABC mainstay on Sunday nights.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
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Ariana Dickson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
It was previously announced that the prior entertainer of the year winner will be this year’s sole host, after coming on in 2024 as a third host and sort of sidekick to longtime mainstays Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
On Halloween, Murphy revealed the cast for the upcoming 13th season of American Horror Story, which is set to star Oscar nominee Ariana Grande, returning series regular Jessica Lange, as well as mainstays Angela Bassett, Emma Roberts, Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 5 Nov. 2025
As one of television’s longest-running franchises, the series continues to be an ABC mainstay on Sunday nights.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 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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