mainstream

[ meyn-streem ]

/ ˈmeɪnˌstrim /

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See synonyms for: mainstream / mainstreams on Thesaurus.com

noun

the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend: the mainstream of American culture.

a river having tributaries.

regular school classes or regular schools: keeping autistic students in the mainstream.

adjective

belonging to or characteristic of a principal, dominant, or widely accepted group, movement, style, etc.: mainstream Republicans;a mainstream artist;mainstream media.

of, relating to, or characteristic of jazz falling historically between Dixieland and modern jazz; specifically, swing music.Compare traditional (def. 5).

verb (used with object)

to send into the mainstream; cause to join the main force, group, etc.: to mainstream young people into the labor force.

to place (students with disabilities) in regular school classes.

verb (used without object)

to join or be placed in the mainstream.

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Origin of mainstream

First recorded in 1660–70; main¹ + stream

Words nearby mainstream

mainspring, main squeeze, mainstay, main stem, main store, mainstream, mainstream corporation tax, mainstreamer, mainstreaming, mainstream media, main street

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mainstream in a sentence

Just as for the Si2 technologies, we must now ensure that they enter the mainstream market.
Use today’s tech solutions to meet the climate crisis and do it profitably|Walter Thompson|February 12, 2021|TechCrunch
Fortnite, Animal Crossing, Roblox and Among Us have swept mainstream culture to the point where even non-gamers know them well — reaching a kind of mainstream success rarely seen before.
Why new agencies are trying to capitalize on the online gaming boom|jim cooper|February 12, 2021|Digiday
Hans Noel and Jonathan Chait both wrote pieces about how mainstream Republicans would essentially learn to live with the antidemocratic elements of their party.
How Has The Nation Changed Since The Insurrection At The Capitol?|Micah Cohen (micah.cohen@fivethirtyeight.com)|February 11, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
He published numerous non-pornographic mainstream periodicals.
Larry Flynt, pornographer and self-styled First Amendment champion, dies at 78|Paul W. Valentine|February 10, 2021|Washington Post

As streaming has become more mainstream, people are increasingly open to subscribing to multiple streaming services.
Future of TV Briefing: Streaming services count on content to keep subscribers acquired in 2020|Tim Peterson|February 10, 2021|Digiday
Many Jewish women have been accepted as conventional, mainstream hot.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
More mainstream Republicans, Rubio chief among them, disagreed.
The Rand-Rubio Catfight Over Cuba|Olivia Nuzzi|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For OK Go, the four-piece band from Chicago, mainstream success started with eight treadmills and a choreographed dance routine.
OK Go Is Helping Redefine the Music Video For the Internet Age|Lauren Schwartzberg|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was promoted on what might be called not-quite-mainstream or, indeed, axe-to-grind media.
Dutch Biker Gangs Vs. ISIS|Nadette De Visser, Christopher Dickey|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All the while they racked up favorable coverage in the mainstream press, and even more sycophantic mentions in the gay press.
The Rise and Fall of Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge, America’s Worst Gay Power Couple|James Kirchick|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the mainstream of Grouse Creek the highest percentage taken was 19.27 near the mouth at station G-1.
Fishes of Chautauqua, Cowley and Elk Counties, Kansas|Artie L. Metcalf
Longnose gar were abundant in the mainstream of the Big Blue River but usually evaded capture.
Fishes of the Big Blue River Basin, Kansas|W. L. Minckley
The stoneroller was usually abundant at upstream stations and was found in the mainstream of the Wakarusa River.
Fishes of the Wakarusa River in Kansas|James E. Deacon
The effect of the drought on stream-flow at the mainstream gaging station 2.1 miles south of Lawrence is presented in Table 1.
Fishes of the Wakarusa River in Kansas|James E. Deacon
The flathead catfish comprises a small but consistent part of the sport fishery of the Wakarusa, especially in the mainstream.
Fishes of the Wakarusa River in Kansas|James E. Deacon

British Dictionary definitions for mainstream

mainstream

/ (ˈmeɪnˌstriːm) /

noun

the main current (of a river, cultural trend, etc)in the mainstream of modern literature
(as modifier)mainstream politics

adjective

of or relating to the style of jazz that lies between the traditional and the modern

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for mainstream

mainstream

The prevailing current or direction of a movement or influence: “The candidate's speech represented the mainstream thinking on economic policy.”

mainstream

Origin of mainstream

Words nearby mainstream

Words related to mainstream

How to use mainstream in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mainstream

Cultural definitions for mainstream