Definition of “mains” | Collins English Dictionary
`
`Page 1 of 3
`
`Dictionaries
`
`Thesaurus
`
`Translator
`
`Words & Language
`
`Word Games
`
`New
`
`Create an account
`
`Sign In
`
`You are here > Home > English Dictionary > Definition of “mains”
`
`English
`
`English for Learners
`
`French
`
`German
`
`Spanish
`
`Italian
`
`English Dictionary
`Pioneers in dictionary publishing since 1819
`
` British English
`Search
`
` American English
`
`Search
`
`Browse the English Dictionary (A-Z)
`
`Your search found: mains
`
`1
`
`main
`
`2
`
`main
`
`Usage examples
`
`Trends
`
`Word Frequency
`
`mains  (meɪnz) 
`
`Definitions
`
`plural noun
`1. See the mains
`
`2. See the mains
`
`3. See the mains
`
`modifier
`4. of or relating to a main distribution network for water, gas, or electricity ⇒ mains voltage
`
`1
`
`main  (meɪn
`
` ) 
`
`Definitions
`
`adjective (prenominal)
`1. chief or principal in rank, importance, size, etc
`
`2. sheer or utmost (esp in the phrase by main force)
`
`Gaga or
`Shakespeare?
`
`Who said it?
`
`Will in the Words
`
`Shakespearean words in
`the English Language
`
`What Do You Think?
`
`Would you bother learning another language if perfect
`translation technology existed?
`
`3. (nautical) of, relating to, or denoting any gear, such as a stay or sail, belonging to the mainmast
`
`4. (obsolete) significant or important
`
`noun
`5. a principal pipe, conduit, duct, or line in a system used to distribute water, electricity, etc
`
`Yes
`
`I'm not sure
`
`No
`
`Submit
`
`6. (plural)
`
`the main distribution network for water, gas, or electricity
`a.
`b. (as modifier) ⇒ mains voltage
`
`7.
`
`the chief or most important part or consideration
`
`8. great strength or force (now chiefly in the phrase (with) might and main)
`This site uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. For more information see our privacy policy.
`
`Latest New Word Submissions
`
`crab mentality
`christian-phobia
`fantaverage
`tar sands
`whaling
`
`Close message
`
`http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mains
`
`5/6/2015
`Apple Inc., et al.
`Exhibit 1008
`Apple Inc., et al. v. Global Touch Solutions, Inc.
`IPR2015-01173
`
`Exhibit 1008, Page 001
`
`

`

`Definition of “mains” | Collins English Dictionary
`
`Page 2 of 3
`
` 
`
` 
`
`bonk
`
`Suggest a new word to add to the dictionary
`
`View More
`
`Latest Published Words and Updates
`
`adorkable
`al desko
`alcohol poisoning
`alum
`bahookie
`
`Related Terms
`
`11 results
`
`main
`mains gas
`mains set
`the mains
`mains water
`
`View more related terms
`
`Browse nearby words
`
`Maine Coon
`Maine-et-Loire
`mainframe
`mainland
`mainland Britain
`
`All English words that begin with 'M'
`
`“mains” photos from Flickr
`
`9. (literary) the open ocean
`
`10. (archaic) short for Spanish Main
`
`11. (archaic) short for mainland
`
`12. See in the main
`
`Word Origin
`C13: from Old English mægen strength
`
`Synonyms
`= chief, leading, major, prime, head, special, central, particular, necessary, essential, premier, primary, vital,
`critical, crucial, supreme, outstanding, principal, cardinal, paramount, foremost, predominant, pre-eminent,
`must-have,
`= sheer, direct, entire, pure, mere, absolute, utter, utmost, downright, brute, undisguised
`= force, might, power, effort, strength, potency, puissance
`= pipeline, channel, pipe, conduit, duct
`= cable, line, electricity supply, mains supply
`
`View thesaurus entry
`
`2
`
`main  (meɪn
`
` ) 
`
`Definitions
`
`noun
`1. a throw of the dice in dice games
`
`2. a cockfighting contest
`
`3. a match in archery, boxing, etc
`
`Word Origin
`C16: of unknown origin
`
`Example Sentences Including 'mains'
`
`Word usage trends for “mains”
`
`A hissing noise of escaping gas from the ruptured mains suddenly thumped into flame and burst across the
`street, pushing the firemen back.
`Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
`Even the very streets were cracking up, causing mains pipes to burst and adding to fears of a water
`shortage.
`Stewart, Michael COMPULSION
`They are free to all those who decide to welcome the miracle of mains electricity into their homes.
`Philip Marsden THE MAIN CAGES (2002)
`
`Sponsored Links
`
`Comments
`
`Log in to comment on this word.
`
`1998
`
`2000
`
`2004
`2002
`Year
`
`2006
`
`2008
`
`View usage over:
`
`Last 10 years
`
`Browse Dictionary
`
`#
`
`A
`
`B
`
`C
`
`D
`
`E
`
`F
`
`G
`
`H
`
`I
`
`J
`
`K
`
`L
`
`M N
`
`O
`
`P
`
`Q
`
`R
`
`S
`
`T
`
`U
`
`V W X
`
`Y
`
`Z
`
`The Collins American English Dictionary
`The Collins English Dictionary
`This site uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. For more information see our privacy policy.
`
`The Cobuild English for Learners Dictionary
`
`Close message
`
`http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mains
`
`5/6/2015
`Exhibit 1008, Page 002
`
`

`

`Definition of “mains” | Collins English Dictionary
`
`Page 3 of 3
`
`The Cobuild American English for Learners Dictionary The Collins English-French Dictionary
`
`The Collins French-English Dictionary
`
`The Collins English-German Dictionary
`
`The Collins German-English Dictionary
`
`The Collins English-Spanish Dictionary
`
`The Collins Spanish-English Dictionary
`
`The Collins English-Italian Dictionary
`
`The Collins Italian-English Dictionary
`
`The Collins English Thesaurus
`
`The Collins American Thesaurus
`
`Latest New Word Suggestions
`
`© Collins 2015
`
`Tools & Widgets
`
`API
`
`Advertising
`
`Terms & Conditions
`
`Contact us
`
`This site uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. For more information see our privacy policy.
`
`Close message
`
`http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mains
`
`5/6/2015
`Exhibit 1008, Page 003
`
`