main

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Most important; chief or principal.

   The main reason I came was to thank you in person.

2. 2
   adj

   Largest or strongest in size or extent.

   Heavy traffic was reported on the main road into the city.

3. 3
   noun

   A large pipe or cable that carries water, gas, or electricity to buildings.

   A burst water main flooded the entire street overnight.

Common collocations

• main street Adjective + noun
• main cause Adjective + noun
• main point Adjective + noun
• main road Adjective + noun
• main station Adjective + noun
• main worry Adjective + noun
• the main reason Adjective + noun

* As a Scottish surname, reduced from the North Germanic name Magnus. Also from the adjective main. * As a Scottish, English, French and Norman surname, from personal names derived from Proto-West Germanic *magan (“to be able”), similar to Mein. * As a Scottish, English and Norman surname, from the French province of Maine. Compare Mansell. * As a Scottish, English, and Norman surname, from the Anglo-Norman adjective maine (“great, large”), from Old French magne. * As a Scottish, English, Norman and French surname, from the noun main (“hand”).

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