mains
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of mains
1425–75; late Middle English, plural of main, aphetic variant of Middle English demain, demeine demesne
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Among the mains, the pan-seared half chicken with smoked red curry and purple sticky rice was the standout.
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026
As we get into our larger parachutes, like the drogues and the mains, we have a lighter-weight nylon ... not unlike what you might build a tent out of, or an old-school windbreaker.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
Group similar things together — salads near salads, mains near mains, desserts at the end.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026
They are not connected to the mains water and staying overnight is strictly forbidden.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
“Phone’s out. Power’s out. Water mains are broken.”
From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
