The main abode? (9)
I believe the answer is:
houseboat
'the main abode?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'the main abode?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
'abode?' could be 'house' (I've seen this before) and 'house' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'boa' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for houseboat that I've seen before include "home to keep afloat" , "home secured by the bank" , "Dwelling" , "Floating abode" , "vessel" .)