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

Either way, that sensibility has yet to trickle down to mainstream portrayals of Zoomer romance on screen, which remain largely beholden to templates established by previous generations. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026

Phoebe Bridgers has never been shy about professing her love for mainstream country music. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The Society for Integrative Oncology’s guidelines for Complementary Therapies and Botanicals, of which Cohen is himself a co-author, cover mainstream supportive care such as exercise, medical massage, biofeedback, and yoga. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

It is considered less mainstream than the BRIT Awards, Britain’s pop music honours, ‌and ⁠is open to all music genres. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

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

Yet, in many regards, the Grammys remain a game of the usual suspects, as a certain level of visibility and proximity to mainstream America is seemingly required to claim a nomination, let alone a victory. — Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 20 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