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
Time, 10 Apr. 2025
The procedural software, previously coded by human programmers for mainstream applications, is now simply a product of the AI stack based on ML models and GPUs.
—Dinesh Subhraveti, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Rachel Sugar, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025
Just as more education is needed, particularly in underserved areas, so are more mainstream narratives of Black women who’ve been diagnosed with cervical insufficiency.
—Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
In recent years, the pharmaceutical landscape has witnessed a seismic shift as cannabinoids transition from niche alternatives to mainstream medical solutions.
—Calvin Rasode, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mainstream
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
But the focus puzzles mainstream economists, who don’t view the situation with the same level of alarm.
—Time, 10 Apr. 2025
The procedural software, previously coded by human programmers for mainstream applications, is now simply a product of the AI stack based on ML models and GPUs.
—Dinesh Subhraveti, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
But that hasn’t stopped the charge against them from going mainstream.
—Rachel Sugar, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025
Just as more education is needed, particularly in underserved areas, so are more mainstream narratives of Black women who’ve been diagnosed with cervical insufficiency.
—Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
What’s striking is how quickly premium sleep tech has moved from medical to mainstream.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
In recent years, the pharmaceutical landscape has witnessed a seismic shift as cannabinoids transition from niche alternatives to mainstream medical solutions.
—Calvin Rasode, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share