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
James Morris, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
The New York-centric Gotham Awards (touting mainly indies) and the National Board of Review (mainstream), and the New York Film Critics Circle‘s highbrow winners mostly offer titles to sample.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2024
Given these electoral successes and the unprecedented defection of mainstream politicians to the party, the dédiabolisation phase was effectively over.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Conspiracy theories go mainstream through his embrace.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mainstream 
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Noun
Could this mainstream crossover hatchback finally be the first affordable Ford EV?
—James Morris, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
The New York-centric Gotham Awards (touting mainly indies) and the National Board of Review (mainstream), and the New York Film Critics Circle‘s highbrow winners mostly offer titles to sample.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Content creators were also told to leverage social media platforms like TikTok to redefine what the concept of mainstream TV is and could become.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2024
Given these electoral successes and the unprecedented defection of mainstream politicians to the party, the dédiabolisation phase was effectively over.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
While Oppo has opted to go mainstream on the outside, the Find X8 Pro is 0.7mm slimmer and 6g lighter while packing a bigger battery.
—Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Conspiracy theories go mainstream through his embrace.
—Simon Shuster, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mainstream
Dictionary Entries Near mainstream
Cite this Entry
“Mainstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstream. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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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