mainstay

noun

main·​stay ˈmān-ˌstā 

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

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

2

: a ship's stay (see stay entry 1 sense 1) extending from the maintop forward usually to the foot of the foremast

Synonyms of mainstay

• anchor
• backbone
• pillar
• standby

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

The former Fox mainstay, who switched networks in 2022, is set to call his first Super Bowl for ESPN in February and the extension would enable him to repeat that feat in 2031. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Some described Blue Bird as a mainstay on a street with both newer and longtime restaurants. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

The 32-year-old defenseman considers the city home, having been a mainstay with the Leafs since the 2013-14 season. — Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The plan had the department store mainstay narrowing its focus, reimagining its best locations and hitting the accelerator at Bloomingdale’s. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mainstay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids 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