main

1 adjective (only before noun)

1 bigger or more important than all other things, ideas, influences etc of the same kind: I noted down the main points of her speech. | The main bedroom is at the back of the house. | Lack of confidence was the main reason behind the team's defeat. | Our main concern is that the children are safe. | The main female character in the movie.

2 the main thing spoken used to say what is the most important thing in a situation: As long as you're not hurt, that's the main thing. | The main thing is not to panic.

—see also: with an eye to the main chance eye 1 (36), the main drag drag 2 (7) 2 noun

1 (C) a large pipe or wire carrying the public supply of water, electricity or gas: a burst water main in the street

2 the mains BrE

a) the place on a wall you can connect something to a supply of electricity: You can run it off batteries or plug it into the mains. | at the mains: Make sure that the television is turned off at the mains.

b) mains gas/electricity/water The public supply of gas etc through large pipes or wires: The heater will run off mains gas or bottled gas.

3 in the main mostly: Her fellow students were in the main from wealthy backgrounds.

—see also: with might and main might 2 (1)