chief; most important
principal, predominant
Cases of word usage
1) a main passage in a church (aisle)
2) the part of a view, picture etc that is at the back or behind the main objects, people etc (background)
3) a woman ballet-dancer (especially who takes the main classical role) (ballerina)
4) the two main branches into which the wind-pipe divides before entering the lungs (also called bronchial tubes) (bronchi)
5) to suffer the main strain, hardship, of an attack, criticism, anger etc (brunt)
6) the main Church in a diocese (cathedral)
7) a main (usually numbered) division of a book (chapter)
8) one of the main land masses (continent)
9) (especially in speaking or writing) to move away (from the main subject) (digress)
10) the main meal of the day, whether eaten at midnight or in the evening (dinner)