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

Still, the booze cruise stereotype persists, and mainstream cruise lines working on changing that, starting with tougher policies. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 15 July 2026

The House Democratic Caucus is holding a listening session on AI policy Tuesday as the push for a data center moratorium is going mainstream in the party. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 14 July 2026

Adjective

Stablecoins have changed how people think about moving money, and their exponential rise over the past year has pushed mainstream payment networks to figure out how to adapt. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 16 July 2026

But as mainstream coverage of looksmaxxing continues and people like Clavicular are platformed by the fashion establishment, professionals across the beauty ecosystem are still uneasy. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

Verb

Featuring a rotating cast of child and teen performers, the show became a vehicle that catapulted young singers and actors to mainstream fame. — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Parsons’ rise to mainstream creative stardom, built out of internet virality and obscure message-board subculture, represents a new path for aspiring filmmakers—one that doesn’t necessarily require submitting to traditional film festivals. — Rachel Brodsky, Time, 14 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