main idea

American  

[meyn ahy-dee-uh] / ˈmeɪn aɪˈdi ə /

noun

1. the most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger section of text, which tells the reader what the text is about.

   Find the main idea in each paragraph.

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Etymology

Origin of main idea

First recorded in 1855–65

Example Sentences

All the funny details gesture toward Riley’s main idea: Our modern times feel anxious and isolating.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

I produced this 20-minute film to help him fulfill that dream, but the main idea was to share tai chi with technology employees who are working 16 hours a day.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

The party's main idea for adult social care in England is to set up a royal commission within the first 100 days of a new government.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2024

The main idea is that there is a new kind of computing that isn’t here yet, but it’s coming.

From NewsForKids.net • May 29, 2024

But I agree with the main idea behind the nostalgia: literate people should know how to think about grammar.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• aspect
• basis
• bottom line
• character
• core
• crux
• element
• lifeblood
• meaning
• nature
• principle
• quality
• reality
• root
• soul
• spirit
• structure
• substance