Mainstream

Pronunciation

Origin

main + stream

Full definition of mainstream

Adjective

1. Used or accepted broadly rather than by a tiny fraction of a population or market.They often carry stories you won't find in the mainstream media.

Synonyms

• (used or accepted broadly) common, usual, widespread, conventional

Coordinate terms

• fringe

Noun

1. (usually with the) That which is common; the norm.His ideas were well outside the mainstream, but he presented them intelligently, and we were impressed if not convinced.

Derived terms

• mainstreamism

Verb

1. (transitive) To educate (a disabled student) together with non-disabled students.Mainstreaming has become more common in recent years, as studies have shown that many mainstreamed students with mild learning disabilities learn better than their non-mainstreamed counterparts.
2. (transitive) To popularize, to normalize, to render mainstream.