Definition

1. Noun:
   • The principal dish of a meal: The most substantial or central part of a meal, typically served after an appetizer or starter and before dessert.

Usage

• The word "main course" is used to specify the primary food item in a sequence of dishes during a formal or multi-course meal.
• It is typically preceded by starters like soup or salad and followed by dessert.
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • I was so full from the appetizer that I could barely finish my main course.
  • The restaurant offers several options for the main course, including steak, pasta, and fish.
  • What will you order for your main course?

Advanced Usage

• "to have something as a main course": To choose a specific dish to be the principal part of one's meal.
  • I think I'll have the chicken as my main course.

Variants and Related Words

• Entrée (n): In American English, this is a common synonym for the main course of a meal.
  • My entrée was delicious.
• Main (n): An informal, shortened form of "main course."
  • What's for main?

Synonyms

• Entrée (primarily US usage)
• Main dish

Related Phrases

• Main course menu: The section of a restaurant menu listing the principal dishes.
  • Let's look at the main course menu.

Noun

1. a square mainsail
2. the principal dish of a meal