main course

American  

noun

1. Nautical. a square mainsail.

2. the principal dish or course of a meal, typically including meat or fish.

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main course British  

noun

1. the principal dish of a meal

2. nautical a square mainsail

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Etymology

Origin of main course

First recorded in 1505–15

Example Sentences

The main course was a classic dover sole meunière, bathed in nutty brown butter.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The dinner’s main course — prime beef and Maine lobster — had not been served.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Coup de Tête, a restaurant there, has prix fixe meals including a starter and a main course or a main course and a dessert that set you back a mere €19.50.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Now, thanks to inflation and stubbornly high grocery bills, they’re more often getting promoted—sometimes to the main course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

But after those appetizers came the main course.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia