main course
Americannoun
-
Nautical. a square mainsail.
-
the principal dish or course of a meal, typically including meat or fish.
noun
-
the principal dish of a meal
-
nautical a square mainsail
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of main course
First recorded in 1505–15
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.
Williams, whose main course options include Porth Eirias dressed crab and Welsh lamb, said he would never exile the scone.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
The dinner’s main course — prime beef and Maine lobster — had not been served.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026
The appetizers, especially the charred grapes with mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar cream, were better than the main course.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 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
Despite Abby’s dad’s suggestion, we each picked a main course to start.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
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.
