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Definitions

mainspring

[meyn-spring] / ˈmeɪnˌsprɪŋ /












Example Sentences

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The Fountain’s tradition of extending a wide communal embrace, welcoming underrepresented voices and addressing urgent social concerns, is clearly going to be a mainspring of Caldwell’s leadership.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 24, 2025

The mainspring of this imagined future clash is not race and slavery, but science and the environment.

From Washington Post Apr. 3, 2017

The mainspring of the plot, in Chapter 1, establishes the antic tone.

From The New Yorker Jan. 8, 2016

It is the emotional mainspring of extraordinary reserves.

From New York Times Oct. 14, 2015

“It’s how my father taught me. If I don’t wind it consistently, it won’t keep time as well. And if I overwind it, the mainspring might break.”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros




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