Origin of mainstream

First recorded in 1660–70; main1 + stream

Example sentences from the Web for mainstream

British Dictionary definitions for mainstream

mainstream
/ (ˈmeɪnˌstriːm) /

noun

  1. the main current (of a river, cultural trend, etc)in the mainstream of modern literature
  2. (as modifier)mainstream politics

adjective

of or relating to the style of jazz that lies between the traditional and the modern

Cultural definitions for mainstream

mainstream

The prevailing current or direction of a movement or influence: “The candidate's speech represented the mainstream thinking on economic policy.”