mainstream
mainstream Lexical Profile
mainstream Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Belonging to or characteristic of the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional.
"The documentary helped bring environmental conservation into mainstream public debate."
• noun
The ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional.
"Independent musicians often struggle to break into the commercial mainstream without losing their artistic identity."
• verb
To bring into the prevailing current of thought, activity, or popular acceptance.
"Widespread smartphone adoption quickly mainstreamed digital photography across all age groups."
North American To place (a student with special educational needs) into regular school classes alongside peers without special needs.
"The school district works closely with families to mainstream students whenever appropriate support is available."
• Rhymes for mainstream
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 17th century as a compound of 'main' and 'stream', originally referring literally to the principal current of a river before acquiring its figurative sense of prevailing cultural or intellectual trends in the 19th century.