Main | Mean of main in English Dictionary

/ˈmeɪn/

• most important
1. the main idea/point
2. the main goal/purpose
3. Speed is the main advantage of this approach.
4. The company's main office is located in New York.
5. the novel's main character
6. driving down the main road/highway
7. the main gate/entrance
8. This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer.
9. And now for the main event of the evening!
• Noun
• the largest pipe in a system of connected pipes
1. a gas main
2. a water main
• the system of pipes or wires for electricity, gas, or water
1. My radio runs either off batteries or off the mains.
2. We haven't had any mains water/electricity since the storm.

• the place where electricity, gas, or water enters a building or room
1. Turn off the water at the mains.
• in general
1. The workers are in the main very capable. [=most of the workers are very capable]
2. The weather has in the main been quite good. [=has been quite good most of the time]