main
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++main1 /meɪn/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective [only before noun] 1 MAINlarger or more important than all other things, ideas etc of the same kind 〔同类中〕最大的，最重要的 The main reason for living in Spain is the weather. 居住在西班牙的主要原因是天气。 What do you consider to be the main problem? 你认为最主要的问题是什么？ Our main concern is that the children are safe. 我们最关心的是保证孩子们的安全。 a summary of the main points of the agreement 协议要点的总结 the main aim of the meeting 会议的要旨 I’ll meet you outside the main entrance. 我在大门外等你。 the main bedroom 主卧室► see thesaurus at important2 the main thing spokenIMPORTANT used to say what is the most important thing in a situation 最重要的事 As long as you’re not hurt, that’s the main thing. 只要你没有受伤，这才是最重要的。 The main thing is not to panic. 最重要的是不要惊慌。 → an eye for/on/to the main chance at eye1(22) THESAURUSmain larger or more important than all the others 〔同类中〕最大的，最重要的，主要的the main entrance of the building 大楼的大门the main reason for his decision 他作这个决定的主要原因chief/principal most important. Chief and principal are more formal than main, and are often used in written English 最重要的，主要的〔chief和principal比main更为正式，常用于书面英语中〕Coffee is the country’s principal export. 咖啡是该国的主要出口商品。What is the company’s chief objective? 该公司的主要目标是什么？major very important or serious 重大的；主要的Smoking is a major cause of heart disease. 吸烟是引发心脏病的主要原因。Street crime is becoming a major problem. 街头犯罪逐渐成为一个重大问题。key most important, or the one that everything or everyone else depends on 至关重要的；必不可少的，关键的Education is likely to be a key issue in the election campaign. 教育可能是竞选活动的一个关键问题。Hooper was a key member of the team. 胡珀是队里最为重要的一员。Diet is key. 饮食至关重要。number one especially spoken most important or best – this phrase sounds a little informal and it is used especially in spoken English 最重要的；最好的（略为不正式，尤用于英语口语〕Reliability is the number one priority. 可靠性是头等大事。the number one cause of death 头号死因He is still in the number one position. 他仍坐头把交椅。primary most important – used especially about the most important aim, role, cause, or concern. Primary is more formal than main 〔目的、作用、原因或担心的事〕首要的，主要的〔primary比main更为正式〕The primary aim of the project was to help students develop their communication skills. 该计划的主要目的是帮助学生提高沟通技巧。Security is our primary concern. 安全是我们最关注的事。nThe primary function of the university was considered to be the teaching of ‘the great cultural disciplines’. prime very important or most important – used especially about the most important reason, cause, or aim, or about the most likely target or suspect. Prime is more formal than main 〔原因、目的、目标或怀疑对象〕极为重要的，最重要的〔prime比main更为正式〕Their prime objective is to increase profits for their shareholders. 他们的首要目标是提高股东收益。Tourists are prime targets for theft and robbery. 游客是盗窃及抢劫的主要对象。core most important – used especially about the things that people should pay most attention to 最重要的，核心的the core skills of reading and writing 读写基本技能He wants the company to focus on its core business – advertising. 他希望公司把注意力集中于核心业务——广告。nThe party’s core values are individual freedom and reducing the amount of government bureaucracy.central most important and having more influence than anything else 至关重要的，主要的The U.S. played a central role in the peace negotiations. 美国在和平谈判中起了重要作用。a central theme of the book 该书的主题nThe central question is, why are people still so attached to their cars?predominant most common, typical, or important 占主导地位的，最明显的，突出的Yellow was the predominant colour everywhere. 各处都以黄色为主导色。High arched windows are a predominant feature in English churches. 高高的拱形窗是英国教堂的一个主要特征。New York still has a predominant role in the contemporary art world. 纽约在当代艺术界仍然起着主导作用。
Examples from the Corpus
main• Gigi will be working the main cash register.• Our main concern was "What did we do wrong?"• The study came up with two main conclusions.• It's possible that he tiptoed down the passage and came in by the main door.• We walked up the stairs to the main entrance of the building.• This chapter provides a brief summary of the main findings of the initial destinations survey.• You should clearly state your main idea at the beginning of the essay.• After a week of work, he managed to build the main logic board.• Ben's main problem was lack of money.• The main reason for this change is money, and the consequent pressure on hospital beds.• Well, that's the main reason I was calling.• The main reason kids don't get vaccinated is that parents don't realize how important it is.• My grandparents' village was a small place off the main road, away from busy roads and with no mains services.• I think the next main road is where we have to turn left.• Unusual numbers of dead holly trees with senescent branches or main trunks; 2.• Consumer Research and Electronic Commerce Evaluating customer preference is the main uncertainty facing application designers.main2 noun 1 [countable]TBC a large pipe or wire carrying the public supply of water, electricity, or gas 〔供水、电或煤气的〕主管道；干线电缆 The report found that many of Yorkshire’s water mains needed replacing. 报告中说约克郡的很多自来水总管道需要更换。 a burst gas main 破裂的煤气总管道2 British English a) the mainsTEEDHH the place on a wall where you can connect something to a supply of electricity 电源插座 You can run the torch off batteries or plug it into the mains. 这个手电筒可以用电池，也可以接电源使用。at the mains Make sure that the television is turned off at the mains. 一定要切断电视机电源。 b) mains gas/water/electricityTP gas, water, or electricity supplied to a building through a pipe or wire 由总管道[干线]输送的煤气/水/电 The heater will run off mains gas or bottled gas. 热水器使用管道煤气或罐装煤气均可。3 in the main MOSTmostly 大体上，基本上 Their job in the main consisted of cleaning and maintaining the building. 他们的工作主要是大楼的清洁和维护。Examples from the Corpus
main• Heberle confirms the mains will be buried between 36 inches and 44 inches deep.• But in the main, he found that a man must hammer out his theology alone.• They feed, in the main, on flowering plants, themselves evolved from ancestors without flowers.• I think that, in the main, they are.• A broken water main flooded the building's garage.• Building London's ring water main is not a job for the fainthearted.Origin main1 Old English mægen-, from mægen “strength”main1 adjective →THESAURUS1main2 nounLDOCE OnlineChinese
more all Corpus larger important etc things, than or ideas other of
main
main1 S1 W1 /meɪn/ 
adjective [only before noun]
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)
▪ main larger or more important than all the others: the main entrance of the building | the main reason for his decision
▪chief/principal most important. Chief and principal are more formal than main, and are often used in written English: Coffee is the country’s principal export. | What is the company’s chief objective?
▪major very important or serious: Smoking is a major cause of heart disease. | Street crime is becoming a major problem.
▪key most important, or the one that everything or everyone else depends on: Education is likely to be a key issue in the election campaign. | Hooper was a key member of the team. | Diet is key.
▪number one especially spoken most important or best - this phrase sounds a little informal and it is used especially in spoken English: Reliability is the number one priority. | the number one cause of death | He is still in the number one position.
▪primary most important - used especially about the most important aim, role, cause, or concern. Primary is more formal than main: The primary aim of the project was to help students develop their communication skills. | Security is our primary concern. | The primary function of the university was considered to be the teaching of ‘the great cultural disciplines’.
▪prime very important or most important - used especially about the most important reason, cause, or aim, or about the most likely target or suspect. Prime is more formal than main: Their prime objective is to increase profits for their shareholders. | Tourists are prime targets for theft and robbery.
▪core most important - used especially about the things that people should pay most attention to: the core skills of reading and writing | He wants the company to focus on its core business - advertising. | The party’s core values are individual freedom and reducing the amount of government bureaucracy.
▪central most important and having more influence than anything else: The U.S. played a central role in the peace negotiations. | a central theme of the book | The central question is, why are people still so attached to their cars?
▪predominant most common, typical, or important: Yellow was the predominant colour everywhere. | High arched windows are a predominant feature in English churches. | New York still has a predominant role in the contemporary art world.
main2 noun
1. [countable] a large pipe or wire carrying the public supply of water, electricity, or gas:
The report found that many of Yorkshire’s water mains needed replacing.
a burst gas main
2. British English
a. the mains the place on a wall where you can connect something to a supply of electricity:
You can run the torch off batteries or plug it into the mains.
at the mains
Make sure that the television is turned off at the mains.
b. mains gas/water/electricity gas, water, or electricity supplied to a building through a pipe or wire:
The heater will run off mains gas or bottled gas.
3. in the main mostly:
Their job in the main consisted of cleaning and maintaining the building.
| I |
adjective [only before noun] Language: Old English
Origin: mægen-, from mægen 'strength'
1. larger or more important than all other things, ideas etc of the same kind:Origin: mægen-, from mægen 'strength'
2. the main thing spoken used to say what is the most important thing in a situation:
⇨ an eye for/on/to the main chance at eye1(22)
| THESAURUS |
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| II |
noun1. [countable] a large pipe or wire carrying the public supply of water, electricity, or gas:
2. British English
a. the mains the place on a wall where you can connect something to a supply of electricity:
at the mains
b. mains gas/water/electricity gas, water, or electricity supplied to a building through a pipe or wire:
3. in the main mostly:
usually
main [ 指主要的、最重要的 ：◆ Be careful crossing the main road. 过大马路时小心点。 ◆ The main thing is to remain calm. 最重要的是要保持冷静。 major [ 指主要的、重要的、大的 ：◆ He played a major role in setting up the system. 他在建立这个系统的过程中起了主要的作用。 NOTE Major is most often used aftera with a singular noun, or no article with a plural noun. When it is used withthe ormy/your/his/her/our/their it means 'the largest or most important'.* major 最常用于不定冠词 a 之后，与单数名词连用；或不用冠词，与复数名词连用。major 与 the 或 my/your/his/her/our/their 连用时意为最主要的、最重要的 ：◆ Our major concern here is combatting poverty. 在这里我们最关心的是解决贫穷问题。 In this meaning it is only used to talk about ideas or worries that people have, not physical things, and it is also more formal than main .在该含义中 major 只用以指人的想法或担忧，而非物质的东西，且较 main 正式 ：◆ Be careful crossing the major road. ◆ The major thing is to remain calm. key [ 指最重要的、主要的、关键的 ：◆ He was a key figure in the campaign. 他是这场运动的关键人物。 NOTE Key is used most frequently in business and political contexts. It can be used to talk about ideas, or the part that sb plays in a situation, but not physical things. It is slightly more informal thanmajor , especially when used after a noun and linking verb.* key 最常用于商务和政治语境，可用来形容想法或某人在某情势下起的作用，而非物质的东西。key 较 major 稍非正式，用于名词加连系动词后尤其如此 ：◆ Speed is key at this point. 在这个时候速度是关键。 central ( most importantrather
指最重要的、首要的、主要的 ：◆ The central issue is that of widespread racism. 最重要的问题是种族主义泛滥。 NOTE Central is used in a similar way tokey , but is more formal. It is most frequently used in the phrasesth is central to sth else .* central 与 key 用法相似，但更正式，最常用于 be central to 短语中。 principal [ ( most importantrather
指最重要的、主要的 ：◆ The principal reason for this omission is lack of time. 跳过它的主要原因是时间不足。 NOTE Principal is mostly used for statements of fact about which there can be no argument. To state an opinion, or to try to persuade sb of the facts as you see them, it is more usual to usekey orcentral .* principal 主要用于陈述无可争辩的事实。表明意见或说服别人相信你所见到的事实，较常用 key 或 central ：◆ The key/central issue here is… 这里的关键问题是… chief [ ( most importantrather
指最重要的、首要的、主要的 ：◆ Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty. 失业是贫穷的主要原因。 prime [ ( most important; to be considered firstrather
指主要的、首要的 ：◆ My prime concern is to protect my property. 我最关心的是保护自己的财产。
Patterns
a/the main/major/key/central/principal/chief/prime aim/concern a/the main/major/principal road/town/city the main/key thing is to…to be of major/key/central/primeimportance