mainspring
Americannoun
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the principal spring in a mechanism, as in a watch.
-
the chief motive power; the impelling cause.
noun
-
the principal power spring of a mechanism, esp in a watch or clock
-
the chief cause or motive of something
Etymology
Origin of mainspring
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.
The Fountain’s tradition of extending a wide communal embrace, welcoming underrepresented voices and addressing urgent social concerns, is clearly going to be a mainspring of Caldwell’s leadership.
From Los Angeles Times
Its hairspring, mainspring, ruby bearings and a few other parts were sourced from Switzerland.
From Los Angeles Times
“It’s how my father taught me. If I don’t wind it consistently, it won’t keep time as well. And if I overwind it, the mainspring might break.”
From Literature
The question of appropriation is the editorial mainspring of “The Dolphin Letters.”
From The New Yorker
This was the mainspring of the anti-liberal revolt in the region.
From The Guardian
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.
