How to pronounce mainstream
Say it like MAYN-streem. Mainstream has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mainstream. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAYN
- streem
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mainstream pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- streemGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of mainstream
American and British speakers say mainstream in essentially the same way: /ˈmeɪnˌstrim/ in the US and /ˈmeɪnˌstriːm/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAYN-streem.
What does mainstream mean?
- the prevailing current of thought“his thinking was in the American mainstream”
Where does mainstream come from?
From main + stream. Cognate with Icelandic meginstraumur (“a main current, mainstream”).
Questions about saying mainstream
How do you pronounce mainstream?
Say MAYN-streem. The American pronunciation is /ˈmeɪnˌstrim/. In British English it is /ˈmeɪnˌstriːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mainstream?
Mainstream has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAYN). Broken into parts: MAYN · streem.
Do Americans and Brits say mainstream the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmeɪnˌstrim/ and the British form is /ˈmeɪnˌstriːm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.