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
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 June 2026
For decades, longevity existed on the edge of mainstream science.
—Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Today, window shoppers can find a mix of merchants selling flowers, books, and fresh local produce as well as more mainstream stores like Kiehl's and Williams Sonoma among the nearly 100 shops and eateries.
—Krista Simmons, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Musk has proved skeptics wrong plenty of times before, successfully making electric vehicles mainstream and revolutionizing space launches with reusable rockets.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainstream
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Noun
Tadka, the microdrama platform within leading Indian streamer JioHotstar, has crossed 100 million users, establishing premium short-form content as a mainstream entertainment category in India.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 June 2026
For decades, longevity existed on the edge of mainstream science.
—Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Adjective
In the summer of 2022, feminist and antifascist groups mounted a campaign to deplatform Tate, and he was ejected from mainstream social media.
—Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Today, window shoppers can find a mix of merchants selling flowers, books, and fresh local produce as well as more mainstream stores like Kiehl's and Williams Sonoma among the nearly 100 shops and eateries.
—Krista Simmons, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
Verb
Gut health has moved from niche wellness chatter to mainstream obsession, and luxury retreats are racing to meet demand with bespoke microbiome programs, fasting cures and digestive overhauls.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Musk has proved skeptics wrong plenty of times before, successfully making electric vehicles mainstream and revolutionizing space launches with reusable rockets.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainstream
Cite this Entry
“Mainstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstream. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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