main

1 of 2

noun

1
: physical strength : force
used in the phrase with might and main
The next instant we were away down the river, clawing with might and main to keep out of the woods.Mark Twain
2
a
b
3
: the chief part : essential point
they are in the main well-trained
4
: a pipe, duct, or circuit which carries the combined flow of tributary branches of a utility system
5
a
b

main

2 of 2

adjective

1
: chief, principal
the main idea
2
: fully exerted : sheer
main force
by main strength
3
obsolete : of or relating to a broad expanse (as of sea)
4
: connected with or located near the mainmast or mainsail
5
: expressing the chief predication in a complex sentence
the main clause

Examples of main in a Sentence

Noun My radio runs either off batteries or off the mains. Turn off the water at the mains. Adjective Speed is the main advantage of this approach. The company's main office is located in New York. driving down the main road This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer. And now for the main event of the evening!
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The impressive dinner menu features many French favorites, including oysters and escargots, to mouthwatering mains like a classic bouillabaisse, côte de boeuf for two, gnocchi Parisienne and duck confit cassoulet. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 After more than two hours of discussion, Commissioner Anthony Long voiced a motion for a grand bargain of sorts: to replace the neighborhood's water and sewer mains, then top the streets with asphalt and new curbs, while postponing decisions about sidewalks and narrowing the streets. Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 6 Feb. 2024 Great Lakes Water Authority has completed repair on the break in a 30-inch water transmission main in Northville. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024 Jesse shares two vegetarian mains that hold their own against the Big Bird: Creamy Mushroom Lasagna and Cheesy Cabbage Gratin, along with what to do with extra pie dough in the freezer (top a savory pot pie with it or make pandowdy!). The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2023 Sheet Pan Persian-Style Stuffed Delicata Squash With Broccolini and Carrots Looking for a super hearty main? Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 And hearty soups or stews can serve as a delicious main your guests will be drooling over. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2024 Eater recommends starting every meal here with the buttermilk biscuits and honey butter before moving on to the salads and mains. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 2 Jan. 2024 For a vegetarian main, Chris recommends his Twice-Roasted Squash with Parmesan Butter and Grains. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 14 Dec. 2023
Adjective
The options included Dupuy and Pendleton but left out hooks, one of the parents’ main suggestions. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 The Westin Bonaventure’s main kitchen hadn’t been inspected for eight months when an outbreak of Shigella, a bacterium that can spread through infected food, hit late last August. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2024 Colorado requires that truck drivers traveling through the mountains on Interstate 70, the state's main east-west highway, carry chains with them from September through May and be ready to put them on their tires for better traction during storms. CBS News, 16 Mar. 2024 Throughout the 1990s, Mr. Fay worked with the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization, and then formed his own group, the Lavender and Green Alliance, in 1994, to lobby for gay inclusion in the city’s main parade on Fifth Avenue and in smaller parades in the other boroughs. Liam Stack, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Portions of Interstate 70, the state's main east-west highway, first closed as the storm moved in Wednesday night. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Mar. 2024 In the wake of the allegations, Allen was removed from a main stage spot on last year’s CMA Festival stadium-show lineup, on top of being dropped by his label, BBR Music Group, his management, the Familie, his agency, UTA, and his publicist, Full Coverage Communications. Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 The Biden administration will not send U.S. troops to Haiti to help its national police respond to a rapidly evolving security crisis, as a united front of gang leaders has led attacks on the country’s main seaport, airports and prisons, a White House official told McClatchy. Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Some secondary roads will close during the winter, but main routes, like Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, and Laurel Creek Road are open all year, depending on the weather. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'main.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Old English mǣgen; akin to Old High German magan strength, Old English magan to be able; in other senses, from main entry 2 or by shortening — more at may entry 1

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English mǣgen-, from mǣgen strength

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of main was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near main

Cite this Entry

“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/main. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

main

1 of 2 noun
1
: physical strength : force
used in the phrase with might and main
2
3
: the chief part : essential point
they are in the main well trained
4
: a principal pipe or circuit of a utility system
gas main
water main

main

2 of 2 adjective
1
: chief entry 1 sense 2, principal
the main idea
2
: pure sense 3, sheer
by main force
3
: being a clause that is capable of standing alone as a simple sentence but is part of a larger sentence that includes a subordinate clause or another main clause
mainly adverb

Geographical Definition

Main

geographical name

ˈmīn How to pronounce Main (audio)
ˈmān
river 325 miles (523 kilometers) long in south central Germany rising in northern Bavaria in the Fichtelgebirge and flowing west into the Rhine River

More from Merriam-Webster on main

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