mains

Pluralmains (some meanings)

1. 1
   nounBritishuncountable

   The electric power that comes into a home from the public supply network.

   Like the water pipes that bring water into your house, but carrying electricity instead.

   We lost everything in the kitchen when the mains went down during the storm.

   You can plug the heater straight into the mains in any room.

   Similargrid

   Note
2. 2
   noununcountable

   The biggest dish of a meal, usually eaten after the appetizer.

   Like the biggest, most important part of a show that everyone is waiting for.

   We ordered our mains and a bottle of water to share.

   The mains came out steaming hot from the kitchen.

3. 3
   nounBritishuncountable

   The large pipe network that brings water, gas, or waste services to buildings.

   Like the big roads that smaller streets join onto, but carrying water and gas.

   The whole street lost water when the mains burst on Monday.

   Our new house was finally connected to the mains last week.

   Note
4. 4
   noun

   Plural of main. Use this form when you mean more than one main.

   The city replaced several aging water mains last summer.

   Crews inspected all the mains before winter arrived.

   Note
5. 5
   noundialectalScotland

   The farm that belongs to and sits next to a large country house.

   Like a kitchen garden, but a whole farm that feeds one big house.

   The mains supplied most of the food for the great house.

   He grew up working on the mains behind the manor.

   Note
6. 6
   verb

   Third-person singular present of main. Use it with he, she, or it.

   She mains the same character in almost every match.

   He mains a healer whenever his team needs more support.

   Note

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