1
as in mainlands
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weights
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts
the main of the tree is still healthy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mains
Last year’s alternate jerseys wouldn’t get any complaints from me if the Caps turned them into their mains.
—
The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Expect playful starters and elevated mains—black cod with red miso butter, tener wagyu steak frites with green peppercorn sauce, lobster malfadine in a rich tomato sauce, and the super flavorful pork belly sizzling rice.
—Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The Charlie hides a 75-lb (34-kg) lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery in a compartment beneath its oven, which can charge from the 120V mains socket ubiquitous in the US.
—Ian Baker
august 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025
When the water level dropped as a result, two village water mains and two sanitary force mains were uncovered.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Pressure in some hillside fire hydrants fed by those mains dropped precipitously during the firestorm because so many hydrants were tapped at once.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Next week, wintertime means slow cook stews, hearty mains, and project bakes.
—Bon Appétit, 15 Jan. 2025
There’s usually a creamy vegetable soup to start, and three choices of mains (meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes like rich risottos or spooling piles of noodles or pasta), plus moreish desserts like homemade strawberry ice cream, sticky toffee pudding, or turmeric lemon posset.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024
For mains, guests have a choice of meats, sandwiches, rice bowls and specials.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Expect playful starters and elevated mains—black cod with red miso butter, tener wagyu steak frites with green peppercorn sauce, lobster malfadine in a rich tomato sauce, and the super flavorful pork belly sizzling rice.
—Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The Charlie hides a 75-lb (34-kg) lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery in a compartment beneath its oven, which can charge from the 120V mains socket ubiquitous in the US.
—Ian Baker
august 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025
When the water level dropped as a result, two village water mains and two sanitary force mains were uncovered.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Pressure in some hillside fire hydrants fed by those mains dropped precipitously during the firestorm because so many hydrants were tapped at once.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
Next week, wintertime means slow cook stews, hearty mains, and project bakes.
—Bon Appétit, 15 Jan. 2025
There’s usually a creamy vegetable soup to start, and three choices of mains (meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes like rich risottos or spooling piles of noodles or pasta), plus moreish desserts like homemade strawberry ice cream, sticky toffee pudding, or turmeric lemon posset.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024
For mains, guests have a choice of meats, sandwiches, rice bowls and specials.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mains
Noun
-
The two mainlands themselves are only 55 miles apart where Alaska's Seward Peninsula and Russia's Chukotka Peninsula sit on opposite sides of the Bering Sea.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
To measure the centre of gravity of the submarine, 16 tonnes of lead weights are brought on board and moved side-to-side.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Such incidents could potentially occur due to things such as an error in calculating the takeoff weights or a faulty maneuver by the pilots, as well, Corriere della Sera noted.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are many more stories to tell in this universe, many more continents to visit.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
-
According to its website, the company was founded in 1976 and operates stores in nine countries across three continents.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With Microsoft’s support, Terradot has drilled soil and sediment cores to bedrock to analyze mineral and chemical profiles.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
-
These areas appeal particularly to buyers who prioritize interior space over proximity to dense urban cores.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Their arms had fallen off; their internal organs hung outside their bodies.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
-
There are up to 20,000 rabid people raining down their emotions from all angles, a dozen sticks clattering, two dozen skates carving, all those burly bodies bumping into each other and banging into the boards, plus an endless stream of screaming and grunting and cursing.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Coming soon These two Brickell mall staples are reopening with new expansions in November.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Stock up your vanity with these staples, or get a jump-start on holiday shopping while deals last.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
People interviewed include artists, musicians, architects, waterkeepers, landkeepers, politicians, comedians and chiefs.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Other global financial chiefs have similarly pointed to unexpected resilience, with nations skirting an escalating, tit-for-tat trade war that threatened to hobble markets.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Infused in cleansers, toners, and even essences, K-beauty’s exfoliating ingredients are often gentle and appear alongside hydrators to keep skin comfortable, while still delivering their brightening, smoothing, and resurfacing benefits.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The songs pack a wide range of elements into a single track, starting with rock, pop, soul, funk, dub, club music, and rap, plus various other essences, from singer-songwriter-like qualities to music originating from Japan’s internet like Vocaloid.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mains. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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