English Dictionary

Definition of “mainstay

mainstay (ˈmeɪnˌsteɪPronunciation for mainstay

Definitions

noun

  1. nautical the forestay that braces the mainmast
  2. a chief support

Usage examples

  • Just as she'd been since the day we met, Florence was the mainstay of my life.
    Harris, Elizabeth, Time of the Wolf (1994)
  • Nepal's mainstay , tourism, has been on the downslide from February 1, the day Gyanendra imposed emergency.
    Outlook India (2005)
  • Plugging a new series of ITV1's Saturday mainstay , the star said: "No one could ever replace me.
    Sun, News of the World (2002)
  • Your immune system is the other mainstay of any alternative approach to herpes.
    Westcott, Patsy, Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)

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