Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

main

noun (PIPE)
 
 
/meɪn/

Definition

[C] a large pipe that carries water or gas, or a wire carrying electricity, from one place to another, to which a house can be connected: a gas main The severe cold caused a water main to burst and flood the street.Plumbing and pipes and sewageElectrical components and circuitry mains [plural] UK the system of pipes or wires that carry water or electricity into a house, or the pipes that carry sewage away from a house: The house isn't on the mains. They bought a house with no mains supply. mains electricityPlumbing and pipes and sewageElectrical components and circuitry the mains UK the place at which outside pipes or wires carrying water, electricity, etc. connect with the system inside a house or building: Switch off the electricity at the mains before starting work.Plumbing and pipes and sewageElectrical components and circuitry
(Definition of main noun (PIPE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“main” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

a cloud on the horizon

something which threatens to cause problems or unhappiness in the future

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More