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
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
Robert V. Remini2
: a ship's stay (see stay entry 1 sense 1) extending from the maintop forward usually to the foot of the foremast
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
Despite early negative reviews, the telecast went on to become a mainstay of the late-night genre, scoring three Primetime Emmy Awards in its 22-year run.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Diet sodas and other zero-calorie drinks are a mainstay of the modern diet, thanks to the development of artificial sweeteners whose molecules can't be metabolized by the human body.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Just as monoclonal antibodies evolved into a mainstay across medicine, the bispecific era may unfold far beyond its cancer origins, opening entirely new therapeutic landscapes.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Fresh ideas from rising talents like Patricio Campillo and Henry Zankov felt invigorating, while mainstays Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch all pushed their signatures forward.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
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Edward Segarra, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Diet sodas and other zero-calorie drinks are a mainstay of the modern diet, thanks to the development of artificial sweeteners whose molecules can't be metabolized by the human body.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Just as monoclonal antibodies evolved into a mainstay across medicine, the bispecific era may unfold far beyond its cancer origins, opening entirely new therapeutic landscapes.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Fresh ideas from rising talents like Patricio Campillo and Henry Zankov felt invigorating, while mainstays Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch all pushed their signatures forward.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstay
Cite this Entry
“Mainstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstay. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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