Noun: mainstay 'meyn,stey
- A central cohesive source of support and stability
"faith is his mainstay";
- anchor, keystone, backbone, linchpin, lynchpin
- A person or organization that is a chief supporter or sustainer of an organization or community
"he is a mainstay of the community";
- pillar
- The forestay that braces the mainmast
"The ship's mainstay was securely fastened to provide stability"
Derived forms: mainstays
Type of: admirer, booster, champion, forestay, friend, protagonist, support, supporter
Encyclopedia: Mainstay