main stem

noun

Slang.

1. the main street of a city or town; the main drag.

Word History and Origins

Origin of main stem¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

“The North Yuba represents a really unique location for us. Between the main stem and its tributaries there is somewhere around 40 to 50 miles of habitat that is ideal for spring-run Chinook salmon for holding, spawning and rearing,” said Colin Purdy, a fisheries environmental program manager for the state.

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Today the Snail Darter can be found along 400 miles of the river's main stem and multiple tributaries.

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Trees: Practically any fruit tree can be grown in an espalier fashion, which involves pruning and training the main stem and side branches of a tree to grow against flat surfaces such as a fence or wall, can be grown on a 6-by-5-foot wall, according to Butler.

Read more on Seattle Times

At least 123 more hydropower dams have been proposed, including 11 on the river’s main stem.

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Separately, the Cambodian government has halted dam building on the Mekong main stem until at least 2030.

Read more on Science Magazine