A Dictionary of Dutchness

Mainport

Mainport is the Dutch word for a transport hub. Both Schiphol airport and Rotterdam port describe themselves as ‘mainports’ in English. Schiphol has air, road and rail connections while Rotterdam has access to road, rail, sea and inland shipping. The word has been adopted and adapted in the Eindhoven region which describes its high- tech and knowledge-based industry as a brainport.