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
Yotova's main challenger is economist Andrei Gyurov, a former deputy governor of the central bank and caretaker prime minister who led the country in the early months of 2026. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Hundreds of his supporters began gathering on São Paulo’s main thoroughfare to celebrate the victory. — Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
Start by planning the menu, including fall appetizers, mains, desserts, and seasonal drinks—and make sure to finalize the guest list a week out. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026 Salty from the soy sauce and sweet from the honey, this salmon is beautifully broiled and a great option for a lighter main with lots of flavor. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 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 Heat used Larsson, Portis, Hardaway and Nikola Jovic as its four primary reserves for the third straight game to start the season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • One thing most agree on is that the diminishment of competitive seats leads to greater polarization because legislators are only beholden to primary voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of primary
Noun
  • Jean Gilles Bernard Camille, a community organizer who lives in a gang stronghold in the capital, said foreign forces have repeatedly underestimated the capacity and power of Haitian gangs and their ability to adapt.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Georgy Tikhomirov, a nuclear physicist at Russia’s MEPhI university, said there is still too little operating experience to assess the actual cost of the electricity and power produced.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • Photographer Chris Mottalini, a frequent contributor to AD, found a shortcut in that journey, enlisting his son, Nino, as a collaborator on a project that has now spanned four years and two continents.
    — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Iñárritu and screen writer Guillermo Arriaga involve six families, most of them not known to one another, in four countries on three continents in their story of random fate and the perils of being unable to communicate.
    — Ray Bennett, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of continent
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the MacBook Neo's iPhone-grade chip outperformed Googlebooks’ processors in single-core performance, while losing out on multi-core performance by varying (but overall large) margins.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As that enormous dome thinned through the Holocene, its margin withdrew up onto Baffin Island, and what’s left today is the deflated core of something that was once two miles thick.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of core
Adjective
  • What readers are saying The conversation explores the complex dynamics between small-scale and industrial agriculture, with a predominant focus on the challenges and implications of each approach.
    — Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The predominant method entails producers sealing off the vents, which causes temperatures to rise and slowly subject the birds to death via heatstroke.
    — Kenny Torrella, Vox, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of predominant
Noun
  • The intention of peptide users is to have the muscle-building effects of anabolic steroids without the side effects of infertility, oily skin, acne, liver inflammation, and so on.
    — Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Hip dysplasia and muscle atrophy can also prevent animals from completing training.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of muscle
Noun
  • Revenue in mainland China fell 25% to 30%, while Europe and other regions recorded a 50% to 55% decline.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Later, another wave of immigrants from mainland China came over.
    — Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of mainland
Noun
  • Investigators found Amy in a separate area with a ligature around her neck and burns covering up to 30% of her body, according to court documents.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Several different types of peptides are naturally found in the body, like insulin and endorphins.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 24 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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