main·stream
ˈmān-ˌstrēm 
: a prevailing current or direction of activity or influence
mainstream
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
main·stream
ˈmān-ˈstrēm
mainstreamed; mainstreaming; mainstreams
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
Adam Bradley, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023
But the opportunity to go mainstream was not afforded to all Latin artists.
—Allie Weintraub, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023
They got signed to a metal label, Roadrunner Records, as the sole mainstream rock guys.
—Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
But for the industry mainstream, Toronto will be the real stress test.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
Politics Enrique Tarrio, 3 other Proud Boys members convicted of sedition in Jan. 6 riot
May 4, 2023
Advertisement
Even more troubling is that the Proud Boys have successfully bled into the political mainstream.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023
But now, with the explosive popularity of foreign cultures, especially Korean, coupled with the lightning metabolism of digital culture, trends in the U.S. become mainstream at a much faster speed.
—Soo Youn, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2023
The internet platform also gave Guy access to a mainstream audience off of X, including an advice column for politicians at Politico.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
Anti-Korean sentiment is pervasive among right-wing political groups and mainstream media, and Japan’s Korean population often gets caught in the middle of conflicts between Japan and North Korea.
—Takehiko Kambayashi, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2023
Bob Smietana, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2023
Year by year, songs by Reggaeton artists slowly started creeping up the Billboard charts and soon enough became mainstream pop.
—Allie Weintraub, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023
The Associated Press Stylebook, used by most mainstream newspapers, does not have an entry on this in current editions.
—oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2023
One theory for their resurgence is that the hate became so mainstream that liking Nickelback actually became an act of defiance.
—Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
Functional fragrances go mainstream But beyond aromatherapeutic one-off products, global fragrance companies are now developing entire suites of scents with wellness benefits.
—Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 4 Sep. 2023
The tone implied that people who had fallen in love with tiny houses had been fooled by an unrealistic fantasy, and had been forced to slink back to a mainstream, normal-size lifestyle.
—WIRED, 2 Sep. 2023
Lately, however, combat boots have become mainstream.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
Consistently, he’s put the culture in mainstream eyes with grace and elegance.
—Daniel Kohn, Spin, 28 Aug. 2023
Paolo Confino, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023
The Inspiron series, with its simple styling, caters to mainstream users with its blend of performance and affordability.
—Sascha Brodsky, Popular Mechanics, 25 Aug. 2023
In a rush to mainstream the technology, Silicon Valley companies are pushing these products to millions of users and - for now - often offering them free.
—Pranshu Verma and Gerrit De Vynck, Anchorage Daily News, 4 June 2023
Outdoor Voices founder Ty Haney led the athleisure brand to mainstream mania before abruptly exiting as CEO in 2020.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2023
But the changes suggest Tumblr is interested in positioning itself as a stronger competitor to mainstream social networks, particularly for creators who want to share material on the platform.
—Adi Robertson, The Verge, 10 July 2023
But as a marginal candidate who espouses debunked medical claims, Kennedy and his appearance with Musk could further cement the perception that Twitter actively mainstreams extremism.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 5 June 2023
The company also offers complimentary scheduled maintenance that bests mainstream rivals such as Toyota.
—Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023
In the last two years, Margiela’s split-toe Tabi went from fringe to mainstream.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 June 2023
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Noun
Barnes’s 1966 New York show might have marked his triumphant emergence into the artistic mainstream.
—Adam Bradley, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023
But the opportunity to go mainstream was not afforded to all Latin artists.
—Allie Weintraub, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023
They got signed to a metal label, Roadrunner Records, as the sole mainstream rock guys.
—Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
But for the industry mainstream, Toronto will be the real stress test.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
Politics Enrique Tarrio, 3 other Proud Boys members convicted of sedition in Jan. 6 riot
May 4, 2023
Advertisement
Even more troubling is that the Proud Boys have successfully bled into the political mainstream.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023
But now, with the explosive popularity of foreign cultures, especially Korean, coupled with the lightning metabolism of digital culture, trends in the U.S. become mainstream at a much faster speed.
—Soo Youn, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2023
The internet platform also gave Guy access to a mainstream audience off of X, including an advice column for politicians at Politico.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
Anti-Korean sentiment is pervasive among right-wing political groups and mainstream media, and Japan’s Korean population often gets caught in the middle of conflicts between Japan and North Korea.
—Takehiko Kambayashi, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Payne said that in the 1990s, many Christian groups wanted to get mainstream success.
—Bob Smietana, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2023
Year by year, songs by Reggaeton artists slowly started creeping up the Billboard charts and soon enough became mainstream pop.
—Allie Weintraub, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023
The Associated Press Stylebook, used by most mainstream newspapers, does not have an entry on this in current editions.
—oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2023
One theory for their resurgence is that the hate became so mainstream that liking Nickelback actually became an act of defiance.
—Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023
Functional fragrances go mainstream But beyond aromatherapeutic one-off products, global fragrance companies are now developing entire suites of scents with wellness benefits.
—Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 4 Sep. 2023
The tone implied that people who had fallen in love with tiny houses had been fooled by an unrealistic fantasy, and had been forced to slink back to a mainstream, normal-size lifestyle.
—WIRED, 2 Sep. 2023
Lately, however, combat boots have become mainstream.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
Consistently, he’s put the culture in mainstream eyes with grace and elegance.
—Daniel Kohn, Spin, 28 Aug. 2023
Verb
Tesla has since sold around 4.5 million electric cars, becoming one of the first companies to mainstream electric vehicles and present a viable future for an entirely emissions-less automotive industry.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023
The Inspiron series, with its simple styling, caters to mainstream users with its blend of performance and affordability.
—Sascha Brodsky, Popular Mechanics, 25 Aug. 2023
In a rush to mainstream the technology, Silicon Valley companies are pushing these products to millions of users and - for now - often offering them free.
—Pranshu Verma and Gerrit De Vynck, Anchorage Daily News, 4 June 2023
Outdoor Voices founder Ty Haney led the athleisure brand to mainstream mania before abruptly exiting as CEO in 2020.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2023
But the changes suggest Tumblr is interested in positioning itself as a stronger competitor to mainstream social networks, particularly for creators who want to share material on the platform.
—Adi Robertson, The Verge, 10 July 2023
But as a marginal candidate who espouses debunked medical claims, Kennedy and his appearance with Musk could further cement the perception that Twitter actively mainstreams extremism.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 5 June 2023
The company also offers complimentary scheduled maintenance that bests mainstream rivals such as Toyota.
—Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023
In the last two years, Margiela’s split-toe Tabi went from fringe to mainstream.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mainstream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing mainstream
Dictionary Entries Near mainstream
Cite this Entry
“Mainstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstream. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on mainstream
Nglish: Translation of mainstream for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mainstream for Arabic Speakers
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