chief in size, extent, or importance; principal; leading

the company's main office; the main features of a plan.

sheer; utmost, as strength or force

to lift a stone by main force.

of or pertaining to a broad expanse

main sea.

Grammar . syntactically independent; capable of use in isolation. Compare dependent ( def. 4 ) , independent ( def. 14 ) , main clause.

Nautical .

of or pertaining to a mainmast.

noting or pertaining to a sail, yard, boom, etc., or to any rigging belonging to a mainmast.

noting any stay running aft and upward to the head of a mainmast

main topmast stay.

Obsolete .

having or exerting great strength or force; mighty.

having momentous or important results; significant.

a principal pipe or duct in a system used to distribute water, gas, etc.

physical strength, power, or force

to struggle with might and main.

the chief or principal part or point

The main of their investments was lost during the war.

Literary . the open ocean; high sea

the bounding main.

the mainland.

South Midland U.S. (chiefly Appalachian ) . very; exceedingly

The dogs treed a main big coon.

Slang . mainline. ?

in the main

for the most part; chiefly

In the main, the novel was dull reading.

adjective

auxiliary , extra , insignificant , minor , secondary , subordinate , unimportant , inessential , nonessential , unnecessary

adjective

capital , cardinal , central , chief , controlling , critical , crucial , essential , foremost , fundamental , head , leading , major , necessary , outstanding , paramount , particular , preeminent , premier , prevailing , primary , prime , special , star , stellar , supreme , vitalnotes:main means most important element , while a mane is long coarse hair growing along the top and sides of an animal\'s neck or the growth of hair covering the head of a human being , brute , direct , downright , entire , mere , only , pure , sheer , simple , undisguised , utmostnotes:main means most important element , first , key , number one , principal , top

noun

cable , channel , conduit , duct , line , trough , trunknotes:main means most important element , while a mane is long coarse hair growing along the top and sides of an animal\'s neck or the growth of hair covering the head of a human being , absolute , bulk , capital , central , chief , critical , direct , essential , first , force , foremost , grand , gross , head , high sea , important , leading , major , majority , might , ocean , paramount , power , predominant , preeminent , preponderant , prime , principal , purpose , strength , supreme , vital