main idea

[ meyn ahy-dee-uh ]

noun

1. the most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger section of text, which tells the reader what the text is about:

   Find the main idea in each paragraph.

Word History and Origins

Origin of main idea¹

First recorded in 1855–65

Example Sentences

The main idea is that you want all of your images somewhere in your sitemaps.

From Search Engine Watch

While the main idea is to get some laughs during a grim time, the goat video calls have managed to keep the 500-year-old farm afloat — and staff members employed.

From Washington Post

“The main idea of the museum is to cheer people up,” Wynd says.

From The Daily Beast

It is the myth in its entirety which is alone important: its parts are only of interest in so far as they bring out the main idea.

From Project Gutenberg

Fernald got up, and acting as though his main idea was just to stretch his legs, strolled up to the front of the car.

From Project Gutenberg

His main idea was, that he would see how much Bella knew before committing himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps the main idea in this was to have a handy refuge in case a sudden need arose.

From Project Gutenberg

The writer has already used the main idea of the allegory in the Ancrene Wisse (M 172, 271).

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aspect
• basis
• bottom line
• character
• core
• crux
• element
• lifeblood
• meaning
• nature
• principle
• quality
• reality
• root
• soul
• spirit
• structure
• substance