main

1 of 2

noun

ˈmān 

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

: mainland

b

: high sea

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

: mainmast

b

: mainsail

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

Synonyms

Noun

• beef
• brawn
• muscle
• thew

Adjective

• arch
• big
• capital
• cardinal
• central
• chief
• dominant
• first
• foremost
• grand
• great
• greatest
• highest
• key
• leading
• master
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• overbearing
• overmastering
• overriding
• paramount
• predominant
• preeminent
• premier
• primal
• primary
• principal
• prior
• sovereign
• sovran
• supreme

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

This April, the discount grocery chain is stocking its shelves with adorable decor, practical porch and patio furniture, and charming Easter tableware—plus snacks, appetizers, mains, and desserts with seasonal flair. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025

Dishes include mains such as platters and gyros, sides such as baba ganoush and hummus and desserts such as baklava and chocolate chip cookies. —Alexandra Maloney, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Sean Penn co-stars as the film’s main villain, a steely-eyed colonel who looked pretty frigging scary in the footage, while Benicio del Toro is DiCaprio’s gun-toting, gonzo comrade. —Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025

The president has touted these tariffs as a way to help the US government rely less on income taxes as a main form of revenue. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing main

• coup de main
• in the main
• main chance
• main clause
• main dish
• main drag
• main/home office
• main line
• main/major road
• main man
• main sequence
• main squeeze
• main stem
• main-topmast
• main yard
• water main

Rhymes for main

• ane
• bane
• blain
• brain
• cane
• chaine
• cheyne
• deign
• drain
• fain
• fane
• feign

Kids Definition

main

1 of 2 noun

ˈmān 

1

: physical strength : force

—used in the phrase with might and main

2

a

: mainland

b

: high seas

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 

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