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
PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
Because in the hands of Safdie and A24, Smashing Machine is an arthouse film; it was never positioned as a mainstream play.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Never had a mainstream rap artist made such a bold choice for their album art.
—Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The fight, now unfolding in the corridors of Congress amongst lobbyists on both sides of the issue, underscores the stakes as stablecoins transition from niche crypto instruments to mainstream payment rails.
—Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstream
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Noun
Not all video streaming services aim for mainstream appeal.
—PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
Because in the hands of Safdie and A24, Smashing Machine is an arthouse film; it was never positioned as a mainstream play.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The reggaeton star’s ability to perform entirely in Spanish while topping charts globally has rewritten the rules of what mainstream success looks like.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025
Never had a mainstream rap artist made such a bold choice for their album art.
—Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
The commendable aim was to mainstream the principle of user control over data.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
The fight, now unfolding in the corridors of Congress amongst lobbyists on both sides of the issue, underscores the stakes as stablecoins transition from niche crypto instruments to mainstream payment rails.
—Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstream
Cite this Entry
“Mainstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstream. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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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