the mains

plural noun

British
: the system of pipes or wires for electricity, gas, or water
My radio runs either off batteries or off the mains.
often used as mains before another noun
We haven't had any mains water/electricity since the storm.

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Cite this Entry

“The mains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20mains. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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