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
Nina Seega, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
The series focuses on transgender stories from India, an aspect of Indian society rarely explored in mainstream media.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
Braden Yuill, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Ideas about tapping into the spirit world and manifesting good things on earth through access to the divine have become mainstream, with countless TikToks and Instagram reels instructing viewers on how to do so for guidance in love and life.
—Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
Alexander Storozhuk, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Winning over suburban voters in large numbers could be key to Harris winning Michigan, a key battleground state, and highlighting Cheney's support is a way of reaching out to mainstream Republicans who may unsure about backing Trump.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mainstream 
Noun
This framing stops the conversation switching from considering nature financing as a specific need to examining how to finance the reduction of pressures on nature via mainstream business models.
—Nina Seega, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
The series focuses on transgender stories from India, an aspect of Indian society rarely explored in mainstream media.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Building Your Remote Work Playbook Remote work has become mainstream, and most companies worldwide will likely adopt some form of it.
—Braden Yuill, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Ideas about tapping into the spirit world and manifesting good things on earth through access to the divine have become mainstream, with countless TikToks and Instagram reels instructing viewers on how to do so for guidance in love and life.
—Elizabeth Garner Masarik / Made By History, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
This could range from industry-specific magazines to mainstream business outlets to verticals, columns and contributor posts.
—Alexander Storozhuk, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Winning over suburban voters in large numbers could be key to Harris winning Michigan, a key battleground state, and highlighting Cheney's support is a way of reaching out to mainstream Republicans who may unsure about backing Trump.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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