Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of main
"The old mains, a sprawling farmstead that once served the grand estate, is now being sold separately from the mansion."
The domestic electrical power supply.
The farm attached to a mansion house.
In plain English: Mains is the main electrical power supply that runs through your house and powers all of its appliances.
"The new washing machine is connected directly to the mains for power."
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of main
"The sun rises in the east, and it sets in the west each day."
In plain English: To mains means to connect something directly to the main power supply so it can run on electricity.
"The electrician said they would have to cut the mains before installing the new fuse box."
The word mains is related to manse and originally referred to a dwelling or residence before taking on its modern meaning of the primary water supply. It traveled into English through Scottish usage where it denoted a house for a clergyman.