mainstream

[ meyn-streem ]

noun

1. the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend:

   the mainstream of American culture.

2. a river having tributaries.
3. regular school classes or regular schools:

   keeping autistic students in the mainstream.

adjective

1. belonging to or characteristic of a principal, dominant, or widely accepted group, movement, style, etc.:

   mainstream Republicans;

   a mainstream artist;

   mainstream media.

2. 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)

1. to send into the mainstream; cause to join the main force, group, etc.:

   to mainstream young people into the labor force.

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

verb (used without object)

1. to join or be placed in the mainstream.

mainstream

/ ˈmeɪnˌstriːm /

noun

1. 1. the main current (of a river, cultural trend, etc)

      in the mainstream of modern literature

   2. ( as modifier )

      mainstream politics

adjective

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

mainstream

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mainstream¹

First recorded in 1660–70; main ¹ + stream

Example Sentences

Variety, which once ruled the airwaves, survives today largely at Christmastime, where its mainstream, something-for-almost-everyone ethos suits the season.

From Los Angeles Times

Part of that credibility problem can be attributed to what Dr. Jill Stein, the Green Party’s presidential nominee, calls the astounding “hypocrisy in mainstream media.”

From Salon

“I allowed myself to believe the mainstream media’s distorted, dystopian portrait of President Trump. I no longer hold this belief and now regret having made those statements,” Kennedy said.

From Salon

Wright has questioned some mainstream climate science and criticized calls to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel production.

From Science Magazine

Melody takes the advice to heart when given a chance to “mainstream” with other sixth graders.

From New York Times