main
1sheer; utmost, as strength or force: to lift a stone by main force.
of or relating to a broad expanse: main sea.
Grammar. syntactically independent; capable of use in isolation.: Compare dependent (def. 4), independent (def. 14), main clause.
Nautical.
Obsolete.
having or exerting great strength or force; mighty.
having momentous or important results; significant.
a principal pipe or duct in a system used to distribute water, gas, etc.
physical strength, power, or force: to struggle with might and main.
the chief or principal part or point: The main of their investments was lost during the war.
Literary. the open ocean; high sea: the bounding main.
the mainland.
Usually mains . a main course in a meal: The restaurant offers four mains: one chicken, two beef, and one fish.
South Midland U.S. (chiefly Appalachian). very; exceedingly: The dogs treed a main big coon.
Slang. mainline.
Idioms about main
in the main, for the most part; chiefly: In the main, the novel was dull reading.
Origin of main
1Other words for main
Opposites for main
Other definitions for main (2 of 3)
a cockfighting match.
Origin of main
2Other definitions for Main (3 of 3)
a river in central and W Germany, flowing W from the Bohemian Forest in N Bavaria into the Rhine at Mainz. 305 miles (490 km) long.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use main in a sentence
Without a supplier for the holiday meal’s main course, Ames felt as though she was letting down 600 families.
‘Can’t eat a gift card’: Rural food banks fight to put turkeys on the table | Kyle Swenson | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostThe main argument for allowing trophy or ivory hunting is that it raises money for conservation and local communities.
Can artificial intelligence give elephants a winning edge? | Walter Thompson | November 20, 2020 | TechCrunchVs us who want to treat the main reasons of returns rather than treating the symptoms.
Neatsy wants to reduce sneaker returns with 3D foot scans | Natasha Lomas | November 20, 2020 | TechCrunchUnlike many types of furniture, a door only has one main type of joinery—the mortise and tenon joint.
Build your own door and ascend to a higher level of DIY | Courtney Starr | November 20, 2020 | Popular-ScienceNo reservations are required for RV parking—it’s first come, first served—but there is a $15 fee per night, and you’ll need to fill out registration paperwork at the main lodging check-in.
10 Ski Areas Where You Can Camp in the Parking Lot | Megan Michelson | November 20, 2020 | Outside Online
"The maining's as plain as a pike-staff, your honour," replied the Irish watchman, to whom we have already introduced the reader.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 21 | Alexander Leighton
British Dictionary definitions for main (1 of 3)
/ (meɪn) /
chief or principal in rank, importance, size, etc
sheer or utmost (esp in the phrase by main force)
nautical of, relating to, or denoting any gear, such as a stay or sail, belonging to the mainmast
obsolete significant or important
a principal pipe, conduit, duct, or line in a system used to distribute water, electricity, etc
(plural)
the main distribution network for water, gas, or electricity
(as modifier): mains voltage
the chief or most important part or consideration
great strength or force (now chiefly in the phrase (with) might and main)
literary the open ocean
archaic short for Spanish Main
archaic short for mainland
in the main or for the main on the whole; for the most part
Origin of main
1British Dictionary definitions for main (2 of 3)
/ (meɪn) /
a throw of the dice in dice games
a cockfighting contest
a match in archery, boxing, etc
Origin of main
2British Dictionary definitions for Main (3 of 3)
/ (meɪn, German main) /
a river in central and W Germany, flowing west through Würzburg and Frankfurt to the Rhine. Length: about 515 km (320 miles)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with main
In addition to the idioms beginning with main
- main drag
- main squeeze
also see:
- eye to the main chance
- in the main
- might and main
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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