main 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of mainnext
as in primary
coming before all others in importance this is the main point of the study—everything else is secondary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

main

2 of 2

noun

ˈmān How to pronounce main (audio)
1
as in power
muscular strength all their might and main could not budge the stalled car

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2
as in continent
one of the great divisions of land on the globe or the main part of such a division islanders periodically traveled back to the main for supplies

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3
as in core
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts the main of the tree is still healthy

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of main
Adjective
Cardinal's two main peers, Cencora and McKesson , reported last week. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 9 Aug. 2026 Market Days had to close briefly on Sunday afternoon for storms, but entertainment on all stages later resumed with Daya taking the Addison Street main stage. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
Officials are trying to determine which water agency controls the burst main, as a number of different mains intersect in the area. — Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 Seafood mains rotate seasonally but are always creative and largely GF, and there is a full sushi bar, where many offerings are gluten-free thanks to the use of tamari. — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for main
Recent Examples of Synonyms for main
  1. primary
  2. power
  3. continent
  4. core
  5. predominant
  6. muscle
  7. mainland
  8. body
Adjective
  • The company has committed to investing at least $1 billion to construct one roughly 300,000-square-foot facility, but the campus could expand to include up to five primary buildings, officials have said.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Whether Castillo and Gausman can return to form and help their respective clubs get deep into October will be a primary storyline here the rest of the year.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of primary
Noun
  • His brand shone as a symbol of national pride and soft power.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Damianos also hailed the entry of French investment company Meridiam as a backer to the Great Seas Interconnector project, an electricity cable that will connect Europe’s power grid with that of Cyprus and eventually Israel.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • The invitation-only regatta, which takes place off the coast of Sardinia every two years, brings Nautor Swan owners from three continents together for a week of thrilling racing.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In 2015, the EY Women Athletes Business Network and espnW surveyed roughly 400 senior women executives across multiple continents and found that 94% had participated in sport and that 52% of those in C-suite roles had played at university level.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of continent
Noun
  • Instead, having a consistent, longer-term core should help Carrick further develop this United side’s tactical identity, improve the players already at his disposal, and allow cohesion and team spirit to grow naturally.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Chapman, 33, should know Monday the severity of a hernia and a core muscle tear in his right abdomen.
    — Devin Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of core
Adjective
  • With predominant compensation associated with clinical performance, the other aspects can gradually mount and lead to burnout.
    — Nishtha Sareen, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Odyssey is a story set in the Bronze Age, written in the Iron Age, measured by which metal was the predominant metal that went into weapons of war and other kinds of tools.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of predominant
Noun
  • This helps to build functional core strength rather than just targeting a single muscle group.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The bed is also constructed with pressure-relieving orthopedic foam intended to help support joints and muscles.
    — Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscle
Noun
  • The stone houses of the fortified island date back to the fifteenth century, and the eight-room mainland villa was built in 1934.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Catalina Island Health estimates that about 1,500 of them would have to be flown by helicopter to mainland hospitals for treatment if there was no longer an emergency room on the island.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of mainland
Noun
  • Things get increasingly bleak, as the family dog’s heart medicine runs out and Jason has to put him out of his misery, and then — in doomsday prepper mode — carves up the body and puts it in the freezer just in case food gets dire.
    — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • North and Central America and Caribbean governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have both criticized the FIFA president and rejected the plan.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of body

Phrases Containing main

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maims
main
mainland
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Cite this Entry

“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/main. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of main for Spanish Speakers

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