Mains Meaning in English

word · lemma: main

US

UK

Definition

"Mains" can refer to the main electricity or water supply for a building, or, in British English, the main course in a meal.

Usage & Nuances

In the UK, "mains" is common for utilities ("mains electricity," "connected to the mains") and means "main courses" in restaurants. In the US, these meanings are rare—Americans usually say "main course" for food. Do not confuse with "main" (singular) unless referring to the plural form.

• Spanish: red eléctrica - red de agua - platos principales (restaurante)
• Portuguese (BR): rede elétrica - rede de água - pratos principais (restaurante)
• Portuguese (PT): rede elétrica - rede de água - pratos principais (restaurante)
• Chinese (Simplified): 主供电系统 - 主水管 - 主菜（餐厅）
• Chinese (Traditional): 主供電系統 - 主水管 - 主菜（餐廳）
• Hindi: मुख्य विद्युत आपूर्ति - मुख्य जल आपूर्ति - मुख्य भोजन (रेस्तरां)
• Arabic: خط الكهرباء الرئيسي - شبكة المياه الرئيسية - الأطباق الرئيسية (في مطعم)
• Bengali: মেইনস (বিদ্যুৎ/জল সরবরাহ) - প্রধান পদ (খাবার)
• Russian: магистрали (электричество/вода) - основные блюда
• Japanese: メイン（電力／水道）- メインディッシュ（料理）
• Vietnamese: đường chính (điện/nước) - món chính (bữa ăn)
• Korean: 본관 (전기/수도) - 메인요리
• Turkish: ana hat (elektrik/su) - ana yemekler
• Urdu: مینز (بجلی/پانی کی فراہمی) - مرکزی کھانے (کھانے میں)
• Indonesian: saluran utama (listrik/air) - hidangan utama (makanan)

Example Sentences

The house is connected to the mains for electricity and water.

basic

All the mains on the menu sound delicious tonight, but I can't decide between the steak and the salmon.

natural

After the storm, the mains were restored quickly.

basic

For dinner, the restaurant offers several mains to choose from.

basic

The power went out because the mains were damaged during construction.

natural

Could you check if the mains are switched on before we try the lights?

natural