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

Stacked with guest appearances by frequent collaborators Future, Young Thug and Rylo Rodriguez, Fresh finds Baby delivering 17 new songs that reassert his position as one of the most gifted mainstream MCs to blow up this decade. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2026

In a surprise move, the American Film Market, traditional home to mainstream cinema in all its schlocky glory, is going upscale arthouse. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026

Adjective

This is a musical in a very mainstream pop mode of supple but almost juvenile high voices singing banal lyrics to catchy melodies with rather bombastic production. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

Most mainstream cruise lines offer a variety of discounts throughout the year, but some promotions are only available to specific people. — Alexis Berger, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026

Verb

That restraint, even if disrupted by periodic rounds of fighting with Hamas, endeared Netanyahu to mainstream Israelis, who could pretend that the conflict was a thing of the past and all but forget about the Palestinians. — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Darren Criss, who rose to mainstream fame playing Blaine Anderson on the show, has collected both a Tony and an Emmy in recent years. — Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 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 smoke that is drawn (as from a cigarette) directly into the mouth of the smoker and is usually inhaled into the lungs compare sidestream