main Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any very large body of (salt) water
    briny.
  2. noun a principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage
  3. adjective satellite most important element
    chief; master; primary; principal.
    • the chief aim of living
    • the main doors were of solid glass
    • the principal rivers of America
    • the principal example
    • policemen were primary targets
    • the master bedroom
    • a master switch
  4. adjective (of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence
    independent.
    • the main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
  5. adjective satellite of force; of the greatest possible intensity
    • by main strength

WordNet

Main noun
Etymology
F. main hand, L. manus. See Manual.
Definitions
  1. A hand or match at dice. Prior. Thackeray.
  2. A stake played for at dice. Obs. Shak.
  3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
  4. A match at cockfighting. "My lord would ride twenty miles . . . to see a main fought." Thackeray.
  5. A main-hamper. Obs. Ainsworth.
Main noun
Etymology
AS. mægen strength, power, force; akin to OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. . See May, v.
Definitions
  1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. Obs., except in certain phrases.
    There were in this battle of most might and main. R. of Gl.
    He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with importable main. Spenser.
  2. The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing. Obs., except in special uses.
    Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters. Bacon.
  3. Specifically: (a) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean. "Struggling in the main." Dryden. (b) The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland. "Invaded the main of Spain." Bacon. (c) principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; esp. (Engin.), a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire main.
    With might and main they chased the murderous fox. Dryden.
Main adjective
Etymology
From Main strength, possibly influenced by OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. Magnate.
Definitions
  1. Very or extremely strong. Obs.
    That current with main fury ran. Daniel.
  2. Vast; huge. Obs. "The main abyss." Milton.
  3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. Obs. "It's a man untruth." Sir W. Scott.
  4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.
    Our main interest is to be happy as we can. Tillotson.
  5. Important; necessary. Obs.
    That which thou aright Believest so main to our success, I bring. Milton.
    Syn. -- Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
Main adverb
Etymology
See Main, a.
Definitions
  1. Very extremely; as, main heavy. "I'm main dry." Foote. Obs. or Low

Webster 1913