Synonyms

main course

American

noun

Nautical. a square mainsail.
the principal dish or course of a meal, typically including meat or fish.

main course British

noun

the principal dish of a meal
nautical a square mainsail

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of main course

First recorded in 1505–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I couldn’t understand why we all weren’t skipping the main course and heading right for dessert.

From Literature

“Unless that meat’s the appetizer, and we’re the main course,” said George.

From Literature

He made a grand gesture with his arms, as if presenting the main course of a decadent meal.

From Literature

Many guests bristle when they can’t be seated as incomplete parties, or order appetizers without putting in their main course order.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, thanks to inflation and stubbornly high grocery bills, they’re more often getting promoted—sometimes to the main course.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023