the mains
plural nounDefinition of the mains
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 noun We haven't had any mains water/electricity since the storm.
Learn More About the mains
Dictionary Entries Near the mains
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for the mains
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“The mains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20mains. Accessed 19 Jun. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Return of Name that Color!
-
- Name that color:
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share the mains