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Glite Dictionary
electric main

electric main

4.3
A large cable or line that carries electricity from a power station to homes
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : red eléctrica
  • The new apartment is connected to the electric main, so we can use all our appliances without any issues.

Examples

  • To power its tube amplifiers, loudspeaker sets required either batteries or electric mains (110 volts AC or DC).

    Academic text (2007)

  • Despite tube sets' more limited reception capability, listeners could use them throughout Ecuador, provided they could obtain either batteries or electric mains (110 volts AC or DC).

    Academic text (2007)

  • When the storm knocked out power, we had to rely on the electric main to keep our lights on.

  • Make sure the circuit breaker is switched on before checking the electric main for any outages.

Synonyms

power line
vselectric main
68 2.5

A cable that carries electricity from power stations to homes and businesses

is the principal distribution route serving larger areas rather than a single cable
main
vselectric main
  • Specialized
27 4.2

A large pipe that carries water, gas or sewage

is the specific primary conduit used only for electricity rather than multiple utilities

How Large

transmission line
  • Specialized
9 4.1
electric main
  • Specialized
4.3
intertie
  • Specialized
9.1

Surface Forms

electric main singular
electric mains plural

Morphology

electric + main

The sense of "electric main" is directly composed from 'electric' (relating to electricity) and 'main' (a primary conduit or line), so the meaning 'principal electricity distribution line' is transparently inferable. This is a straightforward noun+modifier composition common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it without prior exposure.

Etymology

Electric main comes from the image of a large 'main' pipe or road that carries something important to many places, and with the word electric it pictures the big line that carries 'power'. So, electric main now means the principal line that sends electricity to homes and areas.