mainstream

1 of 3

noun

main·​stream ˈmān-ˌstrēm 

: a prevailing current or direction of activity or influence

mainstream adjective

mainstream

2 of 3

adjective

main·​stream

: having, reflecting, or being compatible with the prevailing attitudes and values of a society or group

mainstream media

movies that appeal to a mainstream audience

mainstream success

mainstream

3 of 3

verb

main·​stream ˈmān-ˈstrēm 

mainstreamed; mainstreaming; mainstreams

transitive verb

1

: to place (a student, such as a disabled child) in regular school classes

2

: to incorporate in the mainstream

Examples of mainstream in a Sentence

Verb

The poor should be mainstreamed into the private health-insurance system.

Ideas that were once controversial have now become mainstreamed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a year where voters upset with the Democratic Party mainstream have propelled outsider candidates to victory across the country, Crowley is hoping to buck the trend in Wisconsin. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

The Azizuddin Brothers have spent the better part of a decade making work that sidesteps genre convention and mainstream expectation. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Adjective

One of its core improvements was in bringing Garmin InReach-style communications to a more mainstream gadget. — Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

There was a narrative failure — partly in mainstream coverage of the race, and partly in the new progressive media sphere, which had predicted a landslide that would humiliate, not just beat, the establishment. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Verb

Since Jelly’s rise to mainstream fame in 2022, the country star has toured consistently — playing more than 375 shows in total, according to Songkick. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

That pales in comparison to mainstream Apple and Samsung, both of which offer a long runway for software updates, enough to carry you through the better part of a decade. — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1955, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1974, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mainstream

• the mainstream

Rhymes for mainstream

• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme
• grapheme
• hakim
• hornbeam
• lexeme
• midstream

Kids Definition

mainstream

noun

main·​stream

-ˌstrēm

: the principal current or direction of activity or influence

Medical Definition

mainstream

adjective

main·​stream ˌmān-ˌstrēm 

: relating to or being tobacco smoke that is drawn (as from a cigarette) directly into the mouth of the smoker and is usually inhaled into the lungs compare sidestream