main
main Lexical Profile
main Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Chief in size, importance, or extent; primary or principal.
"The main reason for his success was his relentless work ethic and dedication to his studies."
• noun
A principal pipe or conduit in a utility system used for distributing water, gas, or electricity.
"The utility workers had to shut off the water main to safely repair the severe leak under the intersection."
The open ocean or sea.
"The historic galleon sailed across the bounding main in search of undiscovered lands."
Physical strength, power, or force, typically used in the traditional phrase 'with might and main'.
"She pulled at the heavy oak doors with all her might and main, eventually forcing them open."
Word Nuance & Usage
Care should be taken not to confuse 'main' (primary, principal) with its homophone 'mane' (the long hair on the neck of a horse or lion).
• Rhymes for main
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from two distinct sources that merged in Middle English: Old English 'mægen' meaning 'physical strength', and Old French 'maine' meaning 'great' or 'chief', ultimately from the Latin 'magnus'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.