the mains
plural noun
British
: the system of pipes or wires for electricity, gas, or water
My radio runs either off batteries or off the mains.
—often used as mains before another nounWe haven't had any mains water/electricity since the storm.
Examples of the mains in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The drogue parachutes deploy at an altitude of about 22,000 feet (6,705 m), while the mains deploy at about 6,000 feet (1,828 m).
—
Tariq Malik, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
This will mean finding a machine that is small enough to fit in your bag, and potentially one with a rechargeable battery rather than one which plugs into the mains.
—Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2023
Starers include hummus platter, Nashville hot tots and Bavarian soft pretzels while brewery beef melt, Al’s sausage sliders and Thai power salad are among the mains.
—Marc Bona, cleveland, 7 May 2022
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Tariq Malik, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
This will mean finding a machine that is small enough to fit in your bag, and potentially one with a rechargeable battery rather than one which plugs into the mains.
—Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2023
Starers include hummus platter, Nashville hot tots and Bavarian soft pretzels while brewery beef melt, Al’s sausage sliders and Thai power salad are among the mains.
—Marc Bona, cleveland, 7 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“The mains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20mains. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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