MAINSTREAM Definition & Meaning

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mainstream

[ meyn-streem ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend:
the mainstream of American culture.
a river having tributaries.
regular school classes or regular schools:
keeping autistic students in the mainstream.

adjective

belonging to or characteristic of a principal, dominant, or widely accepted group, movement, style, etc.:
mainstream Republicans;
a mainstream artist;
mainstream media.
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)

to send into the mainstream; cause to join the main force, group, etc.:
to mainstream young people into the labor force.
to place (students with disabilities) in regular school classes.

verb (used without object)

to join or be placed in the mainstream.

mainstream

/ ˈ��ɪ��ˌ��ٰ��ː�� /

noun

1. the main current (of a river, cultural trend, etc)
  in the mainstream of modern literature
2. ( as modifier )
  mainstream politics

adjective

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

mainstream

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

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of mainstream¹

First recorded in 1660–70; main ¹ + stream

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

These narratives have found resonance in an online audience that harbours a general distrust of mainstream media and worries about South Korea's neighbours.

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They shipped the bats to their Yankees clients, but were unsure if the idea would catch on in baseball’s mainstream.

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And what’s more, he could do this in mainstream films made to be enjoyed by wide audiences just as ably as he could in smaller features, playing peculiar supporting roles.

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But turning youthful support into actual votes is not always straightforward, and other, more experienced and mainstream figures on the right may well be sensing an opportunity too.

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“He spoke of a deeply personal cinema, shaped by direct experience, often overlooked by the mainstream,” said Procter from London.

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