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mainstream Definition

main·stream (-strēm′)

noun

  1. the middle of a stream, where the current is strongest
  2. the part of something considered to be the most active, productive, lively, busy, etc. the mainstream of life
  3. a major or prevailing trend, as of thought, action, literature, or music
  4. ☆ Jazz a style of playing that evolved in the 1950s, based on rhythmic and harmonic elements of swing modified slightly by those of bop

transitive verb

  1. to cause to undergo mainstreaming
  2. to bring into the mainstream, as of employment, the economy, or politics

mainstream Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • enter: By way of this culture, Estonia entered the mainstream of the Occident.
  • become: However, his stance must never become the mainstream in terms of progressive opinion.
  • hit: The Collins solo project, plaintive and bouncy in equal measure, hit the pop mainstream like a train.
  • go: To many people, this instantly set off alarm bells with the fans claiming he had sold out by " going mainstream " .
  • join: In return for this, they would give up their old customs, speak Spanish and join the mainstream of national life.

Converse of subject

  • ignore: It's great to be among this community mostly ignored by the mainstream.

Adjective modifier

  • political: It's not too late for Britain to restore its natural authority on a subject which Margaret Thatcher first brought into the political mainstream.
  • more: Friday night's club is " Garage " , while Saturday's is the more mainstream and crowded of the two nights.
  • American: Remaking the American mainstream: assimilation and contemporary immigration.
  • contemporary: For example, students have the opportunity to examine contemporary mainstream and independent American cinema, European cinema, and British cinema.
  • academic: The academic mainstream still clings to its dismissal of class.

Modifies a noun

  • medium: Anything I read or hear from mainstream media I take with a grain of salt.
  • schooling: The change back to mainstream schooling can be made at any time.
  • school: Till then he was studying in the mainstream school.
  • lender: Many mainstream lenders will also advance funds for this purpose.
  • classroom: Pupils with EAL are learning in mainstream classrooms where the needs of all pupils have to be met.
  • cinema: We're open to anyone and everyone with an interest in film beyond the usual mainstream cinema fare.

Modifying Another Word

  • fairly: Then realize that in the scheme of things, these people are widely considered to be fairly mainstream.

Preposition: of

  • society: He wrote compassionate, realistic portraits of people who were outsiders, detached from the mainstream of society - as he was himself.
  • politics: Acceptance of a " two China " policy would mean that both would be in the mainstream of world politics.
mainstream Quotes

We'll gladly enter the mainstream any time the mainstream will have us.

—Coen,Joel