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Mainstay: meaning, definitions and examples

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mainstay

 

[ ˈmeɪnsteɪ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

noun

A person or thing on which something else is based or depends.

Synonyms

backbone, cornerstone, foundation, pillar

Examples of usage

  • The family business was the mainstay of the community.
  • She was the mainstay of the organization, always reliable and hardworking.
Context #2 | Noun

noun

A stay that extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing ship.

Synonyms

rigging, rope, stay

Examples of usage

  • The sailors climbed the mainstay to reach the top of the mast.

Translations

Translations of the word "mainstay" in other languages:

🇵🇹 principal

🇮🇳 मुख्य आधार

🇩🇪 Hauptstütze

🇮🇩 penopang utama

🇺🇦 основна опора

🇵🇱 podpora

🇯🇵 大黒柱

🇫🇷 pilier principal

🇪🇸 pilar principal

🇹🇷 ana direk

🇰🇷 주축

🇸🇦 دعامة رئيسية

🇨🇿 hlavní opora

🇸🇰 hlavná opora

🇨🇳 主要支柱

🇸🇮 glavni opornik

🇮🇸 aðalstoð

🇰🇿 негізгі тірек

🇬🇪 ძირითადი საყრდენი

🇦🇿 əsas dəstək

🇲🇽 pilar principal

Etymology

The word 'mainstay' originated in the mid-17th century, combining 'main' (from Latin 'manus' meaning 'hand') and 'stay' (from Old English 'stāg'). Initially used in a nautical context to refer to a stay that supports the mast of a sailing ship, it later evolved to also mean a person or thing that is a central or essential part of something.

See also: main, mainland, mainly, mainstream.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,012, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.