mainstay

noun

main·​stay ˈmān-ˌstā 

plural mainstays

1

a

: a crucial or key part of something

Fish is the mainstay of their diet.

Tourism is a mainstay of the city's economy.

The mainstay of treatment for chronic hives of unknown origin is antihistamine medications.

—Mayo Clinic Health Letter

b

: someone or something that is a principal or reliable support or resource

Tourism is one of the city's economic mainstays.

Her immense pride in him and unquestioning support were among the few mainstays in his life.

—Robert V. Remini

2

: a ship's stay (see stay entry 1 sense 1) extending from the maintop forward usually to the foot of the foremast

Synonyms of mainstay

• anchor
• backbone
• pillar
• standby

Examples of mainstay in a Sentence

Fish is a mainstay of their diet.

My mother has always been the mainstay of our family.

Recent Examples on the Web

What neighborhood mainstay, that’s been open for years or even decades, holds a special place in your heart? —Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

Throughout his life, Iverson said McAdams has been a mainstay of local politics. —ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026

Dawn Staley and South Carolina are mainstays in the Final Four while TCU is looking to reach March Madness ' biggest stage for the first time. —CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

The stage hosts The Reverent Marigold, Growth Gigs chief Brianna Carmel (of Blooming Heads, Little Tiny Knife and various local projects) and the triumphant return to Sacramento of former local mainstay Autumn Sky Hall. —Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mainstay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

mainstay

noun

main·​stay -ˌstā 

1

: a large strong rope running from the maintop of a ship usually to the foot of the foremast

2

: a chief support

the mainstay of the family