English Word · Advanced
mainstay
A chief source of support
Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪnˌsteɪ/
Meaning
A person or thing on which something chiefly depends for support.
Example
Regular donations are the mainstay of the shelter's work.
Regular donations are the mainstay of the shelter's work.
Practice tips
- Practice mainstay out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English word is for advanced-level learners.