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Synonyms

mother lode

American  
[muhth-er-lohd] / ˈmʌð ərˌloʊd /
Or motherlode

noun

  1. Mining. a rich or important lode.

  2. a major or profitable source or supply.

    New York City is a mother lode of actors.


mother lode British  

noun

  1. mining the principal lode in a system

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mother lode

First recorded in 1855–60

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.

“Grey’s Anatomy,” renewed for a 21st season on ABC, has 430 episodes, making it a binge-viewing mother lode.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024

But it could be a mother lode for small and large local news outlets, providing $500 million a year to preserve and grow local newsrooms.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

But for a noir of isolation and concealment, about how the past can often feel inescapable, these shadowy dugouts — Travis’ motel, a church and one character’s lonely lair — are an atmospheric mother lode.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2024

TV stations continued to mine the mother lode of old movies.

From Washington Post • Nov. 5, 2022

He took a peek into the bag—whoa—a fly mother lode!

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

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