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

Early adopters are largely served; mainstream buyers, price-sensitive and less tolerant of EV inconveniences, aren't adopting as fast, especially without incentives. — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Why Tech Neck Has Become So Common Three forces are driving tech neck from niche complaint to mainstream diagnosis. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

Adjective

Achieving mainstream stardom hasn’t stopped Cale, Jacobs and Scorsese from maintaining the glimmer of coolness decades into their careers. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Only now is the time approaching when the first waves of silicon-carbon batteries in mainstream gadgets are stress-tested in real-world conditions towards what might be more advanced stages of battery degradation. — Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Verb

This week’s advisory committee meeting represents a pivotal moment in determining whether some of these peptides move closer to mainstream medical practice or remain largely outside it. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Bouclé has moved from statement piece to mainstream upholstery, which means far more households are now living with a fabric that requires specific care most owners have not researched. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 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