mainstay

noun
UK: /ˈmeɪn.steɪ/
US: /ˈmeɪn.steɪ/

  1. A person or thing that is very important or essential for the continued success of something.

    1. She is the mainstay of our team.
    2. Tourism is the mainstay of the island's economy, bringing in vital revenue each year.

  2. A strong rope or cable used to support something, especially the mast of a sailing ship.

    1. The mainstay kept the mast steady.
    2. The shipwright inspected each mainstay to ensure the mast's stability during the voyage.

Synonyms

linchpin support pillar prop backbone

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "mainstay" in English means: A person or thing that is very important or essential for the continued success of something., A strong rope or cable used to support something, especially the mast of a sailing ship..

The phonetic transcription of "mainstay" is /ˈmeɪn.steɪ/ in British English and /ˈmeɪn.steɪ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "mainstay": linchpin, support, pillar, prop, backbone.

Example usage of "mainstay": "She is the mainstay of our team.". More examples on the page.