monoculture

noun

mono·​cul·​ture ˈmä-nə-ˌkəl-chər 

1

a

: the cultivation or growth of a single crop or organism especially on agricultural or forest land

b

: a crop or a population of a single kind of organism grown on land in monoculture

c

: growth consisting of a single crop, plant, or organism

The plant forms a thick monoculture that cuts down on the variety of plants and birdlife in the marsh …

—James Gorman

2

: a culture dominated by a single element : a prevailing culture marked by homogeneity

monocultural

ˌmä-nə-ˈkəlch-rəl 

-ˈkəl-chə-

adjective

Examples of monoculture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

A number of comedians, critics and figures in media and culture say the downside of the level of control exerted by Michaels is a stifling of voices and, effectively, the perpetuation of a monoculture. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2025

These evergreen monocultures, originally planted as lumber during the country’s postwar building boom, cause annoying seasonal allergies and dangerous erosion that leads to mudslides. —Hannah Kirshner, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2025

But today’s monoculture farms typically have just one crop per year; in the winter, after harvest, the ground stands bare. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024

In a splintered media world, there is only one true vestige of monoculture left: The Super Bowl. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for monoculture

• agriculture
• apiculture
• aquaculture
• counterculture
• floriculture
• horticulture
• mariculture
• sericulture
• silviculture
• viticulture
• arboriculture
• culture