Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: mægen-, from mægen 'strength'

main

1 adjective
     
main1 S1 W1 [only before noun]
1 bigger or more important than all other things, ideas etc of the same kind:
The main reason for living in Spain is the weather.
What do you consider to be the main problem?
Our main concern is that the children are safe.
a summary of the main points of the agreement
the main aim of the meeting
I'll meet you outside the main entrance.
the main bedroom
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.

➔ an eye for/on/to the main chance

at eye1 (22)WORD FOCUS: important WORD FOCUS: important
similar words: main, key, chief, principal, leading, vital, crucial, essential, significant
not important: unimportant, trivial, minor, irrelevant, insignificant

➔ See also important
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

ADVERTISING AND MARKETINGANIMALSBANKING
BIOLOGYBUSINESS BASICSCOMPUTERS
CLOTHESDAILY LIFEEDUCATION
FINANCEFOODGRAMMAR
HAIR AND BEAUTYHUMANLAW
MUSICNATURESPORT
STOCKS AND SHARESTECHNOLOGYTRADE