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
Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
King in recent weeks had appeared irked by scrutiny being paid to CBS News, which has generated more attention since Weiss, an opinion journalist with little experience managing a mainstream media operation, joined last year.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
But minority groups constantly challenged the power of mainstream Christian leaders.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Skepticism came easily to Trump, who had long been hostile to mainstream foreign policy.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mainstream
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Noun
This manifests in the form of rituals that are often more private and secretive than those of mainstream Shi’a Islam, scriptures in addition to the Quran, and the belief in tajyeel—reincarnation.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
King in recent weeks had appeared irked by scrutiny being paid to CBS News, which has generated more attention since Weiss, an opinion journalist with little experience managing a mainstream media operation, joined last year.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In recent years, following his conversion to Islam in 2021, Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has brought mainstream attention to Ramadan while fasting during the NBA season.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
But minority groups constantly challenged the power of mainstream Christian leaders.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
What Trump is doing to poison the social conversation here at home, to allow in these voices, to really mainstream people like Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson, that is deeply frightening.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Skepticism came easily to Trump, who had long been hostile to mainstream foreign policy.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 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 9 Mar. 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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