# mainline

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈmeɪnˌlaɪn/ · frequency rank #26,875

## Definitions
1. Normal, principal or standard.
2. Of or pertaining to the principal route or line of a railway.
3. Of or pertaining to a surface railway as distinct from an underground, elevated or light rail one.
4. Of a sequence of opening moves: being part of a main line ("a standard sequence of opening moves considered to be best play").

## Etymology
From main + line.

## Easily confused with
- **midline** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainline-vs-midline)
- **mailing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mailing-vs-mainline)
- **mainland** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mainland-vs-mainline)
- **Madeline** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/madeline-vs-mainline)

## Common misspellings (11)
`aminline`, `mailnine`, `mainilne`, `mainlien`, `mainlinne`, `mainlline`, `mainlnie`, `mainnline`, `maniline`, `mianline`, `mmainline`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mainline