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Definition of Main in English :

Define Main in English

Main meaning in English

Meaning of Main in English

Pronunciation of Main in English

Main pronunciation in English

Pronounce Main in English

Main

see synonyms of main

Noun

1. briny, main

any very large body of (salt) water

2. main

a principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage

Adjective

3. chief, main, master, primary, principal

most important element

Example Sentences:
'the chief aim of living'
'the main doors were of solid glass'
'the principal rivers of America'
'the principal example'
'policemen were primary targets'
'the master bedroom'
'a master switch'

4. independent, main

(of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence

Example Sentences:
'the main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb'

5. main

of force; of the greatest possible intensity

Example Sentences:
'by main strength'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Main

see synonyms of main
adjective (prenominal)
1. 
chief or principal in rank, importance, size, etc
2. 
sheer or utmost (esp in the phrase by main force)
3. nautical
of, relating to, or denoting any gear, such as a stay or sail, belonging to the mainmast
4. obsolete
significant or important
noun
5. 
a principal pipe, conduit, duct, or line in a system used to distribute water, electricity, etc
6. (plural)
a. 
the main distribution network for water, gas, or electricity
b. 
(as modifier)
mains voltage
7. 
the chief or most important part or consideration
8. 
great strength or force (now chiefly in the phrase (with) might and main)
9. literary
the open ocean
10. archaic short for Spanish Main
11. archaic short for mainland
12.  in the main
noun
1. 
a throw of the dice in dice games
2. 
a cockfighting contest
3. 
a match in archery, boxing, etc
noun
a river in central and W Germany, flowing west through Würzburg and Frankfurt to the Rhine. Length: about 515 km (320 miles)

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Main

see synonyms of main
river in SW Germany, flowing west into the Rhine at Mainz: 307 mi (494 km)
noun
1. 
physical strength; force; power
now only in with might and main, with all one's strength
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
5.  Archaic
the mainland
see also Spanish Main
6.  Obsolete
any broad expanse
7.  Nautical
a. 
mainmast
b. 
mainsail
adjective
8.  Obsolete
strong; powerful
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
10. 
of, near, or connected with the mainmast or mainsail
11.  British, Dialectal
remarkable; considerable
12.  Obsolete
designating a broad expanse of land, sea, or space

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Main

see synonyms of main
A river rising in eastern Germany and flowing about 525 km (325 mi) generally westward to the Rhine River at Mainz.
adj.
1. Most important; principal. See Synonyms at chief.
2. Exerted to the utmost; sheer: "They took her off the sled by main strength" (Jack London).
3. Nautical Connected to or located near the mainmast: a main skysail.
4. Obsolete Of or relating to a continuous area or stretch, as of land or water.
n.
1. The chief or largest part: His ideas are, in the main, impractical.
2. The principal pipe or conduit in a system for conveying water, gas, oil, or other utility.
3. Physical strength: fought with might and main.
4. A mainland.
5. The open ocean.
6. Nautical
a. A mainsail.
b. A mainmast.
7. The main dish of a meal: "Unsurprisingly, the mains and their house-made condiments were the standouts of a recent meal" (Lindsey Tramuta).

The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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