noun
mainstay
Mainstay (noun) means the main thing that something relies on for support.
noun
1
The main thing that something relies on for support.
"Agriculture is the mainstay of this country’s economy."
2
A person or thing you can always count on to play a steady, important part.
"I expected the open-air markets, but defrosted bouillabaisse and canned ratatouille weren’t what I imagined to be staples of Parisian culinary life. Yet they’ve become mainstays."
— Julia Belluz, The French Secret to Eating Healthy? Prepared Food and Frozen Dinners (2025)
"Lauren Hemp, making her 50th appearance for the Lionesses, was preferred in central attack over mainstay Russo, while Chelsea centre-back Jess Carter was the chosen replacement for injured club team-mate Millie Bright."
— Emma Sanders, England 3-2 Netherlands (2023)
3
A rope running from near the top of a ship's mainmast down to the foremast, used to hold it steady.
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Etymology
From Middle English main stai, equivalent to main + stay (“rope”).
Related words
Rhymes for mainstay
See all rhymes for mainstay →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of mainstay?
"mainstay" (noun) means the main thing that something relies on for support.
What is another word for mainstay?
Other words for "mainstay" include lynchpin, anchor, pillar, linchpin, keystone, backbone.
What are the different meanings of mainstay?
"mainstay" has 3 main meanings: 1. The main thing that something relies on for support; 2. A person or thing you can always count on to play a steady, important part; 3. A rope running from near the top of a ship's mainmast down to the foremast, used to hold it steady.
