Definition of 'main'
Word forms: mains
1. adjective [det ADJ]
The main thing is the most important one of several similar things in a particular situation.
...one of the main tourist areas of San Francisco.
My main concern now is to protect the children.
2.
See
in the main
3. countable noun
The mains are the pipes which supply gas or water to buildings, or which take sewage away from
them.
...the water supply from the mains.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
main
Word Frequency
Main in American English
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
G < Gaul Moenus < IE *moin-, river name < base *mei-, to go, wander > L meare, to go
Word Frequency
main in American English
noun
2.
the principal or most important part or point
usually in the phrase in the main, mostly, chiefly 3.
a principal pipe, conduit, or line in a distribution system for water, gas, electricity,
etc.
4. OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic
the high, or open, sea; ocean
adjective
9.
chief in size,
extent, importance, etc.; principal;
leading; specif.,
designating a large central unit on which
subsidiaries or branches
depend
the main post office
SIMILAR WORDS: chief
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
main in British English 1
adjective (prenominal)
1.
3. nautical
noun
5.
6. (plural)
a.
b.
(as modifier)
mains voltage
7.
the chief or most important part or
consideration
12.
in the main
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C13: from Old English mægen strength
Examples of 'main' in a sentence
main
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
More idioms containing
main
Trends of
main
View usage over:
In other languages
main
British English: main
/meɪn/ ADJECTIVE
The main thing is the most important one.
...one of the main tourist areas of the city.
- American English: main
- Arabic: أَسَاسِيّ
- Brazilian Portuguese: principal
- Chinese: 主要的
- Croatian: glavni
- Czech: hlavní
- Danish: vigtigste
- Dutch: hoofd-
- European Spanish: principal
- Finnish: pää-
- French: principal plus important
- German: Haupt-
- Greek: κύριος
- Italian: principale
- Japanese: 主な
- Korean: 주요한
- Norwegian: hoved-
- Polish: główny najważniejszy
- European Portuguese: principal
- Romanian: principal
- Russian: главный
- Spanish: principal
- Swedish: huvud-
- Thai: หลัก
- Turkish: temel
- Ukrainian: головний
- Vietnamese: chủ yếu
Nearby words of
main
Source
Definition of main from the
Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
grate or great?
Which version is correct?
we're or were or where?
Which version is correct?
throne or thrown?
Which version is correct?
read or reed?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
reed
read
She was standing in front of a bed on the far side of the lake.
profit or prophet?
Which version is correct?
Your score:
Word of the day
finjan
a small, handleless coffee cup used predominantly in the Levant region
Latest Word Submissions
self-quarantine
Mar 02, 2020
self-isolate
Mar 02, 2020
black swan event
Mar 01, 2020
Shplot
Feb 29, 2020
Are Brexiety and flextensions finally behind us?
We look back on the words that emerged out of the long-running Brexit saga and wonder if we will have any further use for them.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Learning English: Making suggestions when travelling
Take a boat? Stay overnight somewhere? This article looks at some useful phrases you can use when discussing options about what to do when travelling.
Read more
13th edition of the Collins Dictionary out now!
Updated with all the very latest new words and senses, this new 13th edition is an unparalleled resource for word lovers, word gamers, and word geeks everywhere.
#homeoflivingenglish
Read more
New collocations added to dictionary
Collocations are words that are often used together and are brilliant at providing natural sounding language for your speech and writing.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Unlock language with the Paul Noble method
No books. No rote memorization. No chance of failure. Your chance to have a one-to-one lesson with best-selling language expert Paul Noble, try a FREE audio sample of his brand new Mandarin Chinese course.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
feat or feet?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
feat
feet
Their journey was an astonishing of endurance.
cornflour or cornflower?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
cornflour
cornflower
Blend the with a little milk.
gait or gate?
Which version is correct?
geezer or geyser?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
geezer
geyser
Do you know this ?
cannon or canon?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
cannon
canon
One of the landed around three miles away.
Your score: