- the main current (of a river, cultural trend, etc): in the mainstream of modern literature
- (as modifier): mainstream politics
- of or relating to the style of jazz that lies between the traditional and the modern
- to bring or come into the mainstream
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
main•stream•ing
(mān′strē′ming),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- Educationintegration of children with special educational problems, as a physical handicap, into conventional classes and school activities.
- mainstream + -ing1 1975–80
main•stream /ˈmeɪnˌstrim/USA pronunciation
n.
adj. [before a noun]
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- [countable]
- the principal or most usual course of action or way of thinking:That political party must return to the mainstream of American values.
adj. [before a noun]
- of or relating to a principal or widely accepted group, style, etc.:The party platform appealed to mainstream America.
v. [~ + object]
- to send into the mainstream, as by placing (special students) in regular school classes:to mainstream handicapped children.
main•stream
(mān′strēm′),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
v.t.
v.i.
- the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend:the mainstream of American culture.
- a river having tributaries.
adj.
- belonging to or characteristic of a principal, dominant, or widely accepted group, movement, style, etc.:mainstream Republicans; a mainstream artist.
- Music and Danceof, pertaining to, or characteristic of jazz falling historically between Dixieland and modern jazz;
specifically, swing music. Cf. traditional (def. 4).
v.t.
- to send into the mainstream;
cause to join the main force, group, etc.:to mainstream young people into the labor force. - Educationto place (handicapped students) in regular school classes.
v.i.
- to join or be placed in the mainstream.
- main1 + stream 1660–70
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
mainstream /ˈmeɪnˌstriːm/ n