ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Mainstream

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /meɪn.stɹiːm/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Mainstream is an adjective meaning Used or accepted broadly rather than by small portions of population, market, scientific community, etc.

Meaning

Used or accepted broadly rather than by small portions of population, market, scientific community, etc.

More Meanings

  1. The principal current in a flow, such as a river or flow of air
  2. (usually with the) That which is common; the norm.
  3. (transitive) To popularize, to normalize, to render mainstream.
  4. (intransitive) To become mainstream.
  5. (transitive, education, chiefly US) To educate (a disabled student) together with non-disabled students.

Example Sentences

ideas outside of the mainstream
They often carry stories you won't find in the mainstream media.
If Ms. Le Pen looks more mainstream now, it’s because the mainstream looks more like her.
As unsubstantiated claims receive significant backing, skeptics and defenders of mainstream science enter the fray.

Word Forms

Synonyms for mainstream

Depending on context, synonyms include common, usual, widespread, conventional.

Antonyms for mainstream

Common opposites include fringe, nonmainstream, alternative.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include integrated, conventional, common, standard, generalist, rationalize.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.