Mainline: meaning, definitions and examples
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mainline
[ ˈmeɪn.laɪn ]
general context
Mainline refers to the primary or most important route or means of transportation, often associated with railroads or highways. It can also denote the principal or mainstream method of practice in various fields, such as religion, politics, or culture. The term indicates something that is central or fundamental to a larger system or organization. For instance, in the context of a company, the mainline could refer to its core business operations or key product lines.
Synonyms
central, core, primary, principal.
Examples of usage
- The train follows the mainline to the city.
- Mainline retailers dominate the market.
- She works in the mainline department of the company.
Translations
Translations of the word "mainline" in other languages:
🇵🇹 linha principal
🇮🇳 मुख्य लाइन
🇩🇪 Hauptlinie
🇮🇩 jalur utama
🇺🇦 головна лінія
🇵🇱 linia główna
🇯🇵 メインライン
🇫🇷 ligne principale
🇪🇸 línea principal
🇹🇷 ana hat
🇰🇷 주요 노선
🇸🇦 الخط الرئيسي
🇨🇿 hlavní linie
🇸🇰 hlavná línia
🇨🇳 主线
🇸🇮 glavna linija
🇮🇸 meginlína
🇰🇿 негізгі желі
🇬🇪 მთავარი ხაზები
🇦🇿 əsas xətt
🇲🇽 línea principal
Etymology
The term 'mainline' originates from the mid-19th century, primarily within the railroad industry. The word 'main' has Old English roots, meaning 'principal' or 'major', while 'line' comes from the Latin 'linea', meaning 'linen thread, string, or line'. As railroads expanded across the United States and Europe, the term 'mainline' was used to describe the primary routes that connected major cities, distinguishing them from branch lines which served smaller towns and communities. Over time, the term broadened to encompass various fields, including telecommunications and business, indicating anything that is primary or fundamental, thereby highlighting its versatility and widespread use in modern language.