mainstay

noun

main·​stay ˈmān-ˌstā 

plural mainstays

1

a

: a crucial or key part of something

Fish is the mainstay of their diet.

Tourism is a mainstay of the city's economy.

The mainstay of treatment for chronic hives of unknown origin is antihistamine medications.

—Mayo Clinic Health Letter

b

: someone or something that is a principal or reliable support or resource

Tourism is one of the city's economic mainstays.

Her immense pride in him and unquestioning support were among the few mainstays in his life.

—Robert V. Remini

2

: a ship's stay (see stay entry 1 sense 1) extending from the maintop forward usually to the foot of the foremast

Synonyms

• anchor
• buttress
• dependence
• dependance
• pillar
• reliance
• standby

Examples of mainstay in a Sentence

Fish is a mainstay of their diet.

My mother has always been the mainstay of our family.

Recent Examples on the Web

Highlands has its mainstays, like tasting-menu-only Roots and Vine for a sampling of Appalachian ingredients, the cozy Ruffed Grouse Tavern where a roaring fireplace complements a deep wine list, and authentic Ristorante Paoletti for warming Northern Italian fare. —Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024

The Dominican distillery, in operation since 1888, has been a mainstay on back bars for decades. —Tony Sachs, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

The bookstore will be operated in collaboration with Claire de Rouen, a mainstay in the literary scene in London. —Essence, 16 Dec. 2024

Where To Eat & Drink In Hillsborough, North Carolina Get The Wings At Wooden Nickel Public House For more than 20 years, this neighborhood eatery and pub has been a local mainstay. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

mainstay

noun

main·​stay -ˌstā 

1

: a large strong rope running from the maintop of a ship usually to the foot of the foremast

2

: a chief support

the mainstay of the family