Definition Definition

main - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'main' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Main [ a.]
- Very or extremely strong.
- Vast; huge.
- Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer.
- Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.
- Important; necessary.
- Very; extremely; as, main heavy.
2 . Main [ n.]
- A hand or match at dice.
- A stake played for at dice.
- The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
- A match at cockfighting.
- A main-hamper.
3 . Main [ v.]
- Strength; force; might; violent effort.
- The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing.
- The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean.
- The continent, as distinguished from an island; the mainland.
- principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser ones; esp. (Engin.), a principal pipe leading to or from a reservoir; as, a fire main.

Meaning of 'main' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . main [ a]
Meaning (1):
- (of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence
Example in sentence:
  • the main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
2 . main [ s]
Meaning (2):
- most important element
Example in sentence:
  • a master switch;
  • policemen were primary targets;
  • the chief aim of living;
  • the main doors were of solid glass;
  • the master bedroom;
  • the principal example;
  • the principal rivers of America
Meaning (3):
- of force; of the greatest possible intensity
Example in sentence:
  • by main strength