mainstay

A noun referring to a person or thing that is the chief support or primary stabilizing element of something, or a nautical term for a rope securing the mainmast.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее человека или вещь, которые являются главной опорой или основным стабилизирующим элементом чего-либо, или морской термин для каната, крепящего грот-мачту.esPersona o cosa que constituye el principal apoyo o elemento estabilizador de algo; también, término náutico para el cabo que sujeta el palo mayor.frPersonne ou chose qui constitue le soutien principal ou l'élément stabilisateur essentiel de quelque chose ; ou, en termes maritimes, cordage ou hauban qui maintient le mât principal.deSubstantiv, das eine Person oder Sache bezeichnet, die die Hauptstütze oder das wichtigste stabilisierende Element von etwas ist; auch ein nautischer Begriff für ein Tau, das den Großmast hält.ptSubstantivo que designa uma pessoa ou coisa que é o principal apoio ou elemento estabilizador de algo, ou, em terminologia náutica, um cabo que sustenta o mastro principal.zh指人或物作为某事物的主要支柱或稳定基础；也指航海术语中固定主桅的绳索。arاسم يشير إلى الشخص أو الشيء الذي يُعدّ الدعامة الأساسية أو العنصر الرئيسي المُساند والمثبِّت لشيء ما، وكذلك مصطلح بحري للحبل الذي يثبّت الصارية الرئيسية.

1. Prominent supporter B2 formal

   A person or thing that is a primary source of support or stability for something.

   • She is the mainstay of the local charity organization.
   • Volunteers are the mainstay of the community center.
   • His dedication made him a mainstay of the team.

   ruОсновная опораesprincipal sosténfrPrincipal soutiendeHauptstützeptPrincipal sustentáculozh中流砥柱arالدعامة الأساسية

   Synonyms: anchorbackbonebulwarkcornerstonefoundationpillarpropstanchionsupport

2. Central cohesive source B2 formal

   A central element that provides stability and cohesion to a group or system.

   • Agriculture is the mainstay of the country's economy.
   • Family traditions are the mainstay of their cultural identity.
   • The mainstay of the project is its dedicated staff.

   ruОсновная опораessostén principalfrPilier centraldeHauptstützeptPilar centralzh中流砥柱arالدعامة الأساسية

   Synonyms: anchorbackbonebulwarkcornerstonefoundationkeystonelinchpinpillar

3. Nautical term C1 formal

   A rope or cable that supports the mainmast of a sailing ship.

   • The sailor checked the mainstay before setting sail.
   • A broken mainstay can cause the mast to collapse.
   • The mainstay is essential for the stability of the ship's rigging.

   ruОсновная вантаesObinque o viento del palo mayorfrétai de grand mâtdeHauptstagptCabo de sustentação do mastro principalzh主桅支索arحبل الدعم الرئيسي

• mainstays plural form
• mainstays' possessive plural form
• mainstay's possessive singular form