Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Most important; primary: Refers to the principal or most significant element in a group or system.
   • Of the greatest possible intensity: Used to describe force or strength exerted to the fullest extent.
   • (Grammar) Independent: Describes a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

2. Noun:

   • A principal pipe or cable: A large pipe or conduit in a utility system for distributing water, gas, or electricity, or for collecting sewage.
   • (Archaic/Poetic) The open sea: A vast expanse of ocean.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The main reason for his success was hard work.
  • They lifted the heavy box by main force.
  • In the sentence "I left early because I was tired," "I left early" is the main clause.

• Noun:

  • The water main burst, flooding the street.
  • The brave sailor ventured far into the main.

Advanced Usage

• In the main: For the most part; on the whole.
  • The proposals were, in the main, accepted by the committee.
• With might and main: With all one's strength or power.
  • They pulled on the rope with might and main.

Variants and Related Words

• Mainly (adverb): For the most part; chiefly.
  • The audience consisted mainly of students.
• Mainland (noun): The principal landmass of a country or continent, excluding islands.
  • They took a ferry from the island to the mainland.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Chief, principal, primary, central, foremost, paramount.
• Noun: Conduit, pipe, duct, channel.

Related Phrases

• Main course: The primary dish of a meal.
  • For the main course, we had roast chicken.
• Main event: The most important event in a series or competition.
  • The championship fight was the main event of the evening.

Idioms

• Have an eye to the main chance: To be focused on securing a profit or advantage for oneself.
  • In all his dealings, he always had an eye to the main chance.

Adjective

1. of force; of the greatest possible intensity
   • by main strength
2. (of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence
   • the main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
3. most important element
   • 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

Noun

1. a principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage
2. any very large body of (salt) water