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Definition of mainspring
mainspring
/ˈmeɪn.sprɪŋ/
Plural:mainsprings
mainspring Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
mainspring Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
The primary motivating force, principal cause, or chief driving power behind a movement, action, or organization.
Example
"A deep desire for economic equality served as the mainspring of the nineteenth-century labor reform movement."
2
The principal spring in a mechanical device, especially the one that drives the mechanism of a clock or watch.
Example
"The horologist carefully replaced the broken mainspring to restore the antique pocket watch to working order."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for mainspring Antonyms
View all antonyms for mainspringWord Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-16th century, originally referring to the principal driving spring in a timepiece, formed by combining 'main' (chief, principal) and 'spring' (elastic coil).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mainspring. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mainspring