ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mainstream

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈmeɪnˌstɹim// UK //mˈeɪnstɹiːm// main·stream

n. the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and are considered normal. It describes the group that represents the majority of society.

n. the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional; the dominant trend in opinion, fashion, or culture. Often used with the definite article to refer to the majority group in a society.


SIMPLE

His music finally moved from the underground into the mainstream.

CONTEXTUAL

While her early work was experimental, her latest novel has found a home in the literary mainstream.

COMPLEX

The challenge for any counter-culture movement is to influence the mainstream without losing the radical edge that defined its initial opposition to the status quo.

Origin

From main + stream. Cognate with Icelandic meginstraumur (“a main current, mainstream”).

Usage

Almost always preceded by the definite article 'the'. Often functions as an attributive noun (e.g., 'mainstream media', 'mainstream education').

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