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
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
While the upfront fare may cost more, by the time guests add up drink packages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and other extras that are typically charged separately on large mainstream ships, their expenses may not be so different.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
Christine Clarridge, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024
This trend suggests bitcoin's growing integration into a broader range of investment portfolios and its gradual acceptance by investors as a more mainstream risky asset.
—Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2024
Hot honey has now joined the ranks of pumpkin spice, ranch and chile crisp as flavors that made the leap from cult classic to mainstream darling.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mainstream 
Noun
As his star rose in mainstream politics, Alatorre maintained his dedication to the Eastside grassroots.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
While the upfront fare may cost more, by the time guests add up drink packages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and other extras that are typically charged separately on large mainstream ships, their expenses may not be so different.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
Adjective
Everything is either a shade of gray or black, like color was too mainstream for you.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024
This trend suggests bitcoin's growing integration into a broader range of investment portfolios and its gradual acceptance by investors as a more mainstream risky asset.
—Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
Verb
Throughout his career Canadian auteur Denis Côté has deliberately shunned big-budget features or mainstream Hollywood, in part because progressive kidney disease stopped him in his tracks.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2024
Hot honey has now joined the ranks of pumpkin spice, ranch and chile crisp as flavors that made the leap from cult classic to mainstream darling.
—Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mainstream
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mainstream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mainstream
Cite this Entry
“Mainstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainstream. Accessed 9 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share