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
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