subculture

noun

sub·​cul·​ture ˈsəb-ˌkəl-chər 

1

a

: a culture (as of bacteria) derived from another culture

b

: an act or instance of producing a subculture

2

: an ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behavior sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society

a criminal subculture

subcultural

ˌsəb-ˈkəlch-rəl

-ˈkəl-chə- 

adjective

subculturally adverb

subculture transitive verb

Examples of subculture in a Sentence

a subculture of local painters

a subculture of poverty and crime

Recent Examples on the Web

From indie music festivals to street art, Chemnitz’s subcultures will also come into focus, as part of its effort to foster a cosmopolitan, democratic future in the face of recent challenges. —David Nikel, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

While the subculture coalesced within a music scene transitioning from ’70s punk to ’80s new wave, the sensibility has no discrete genesis. —Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024

Of course, military style has been appropriated by different subcultures for decades. —Zoe Whitfield, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024

This collection was inspired by American subcultures from the ‘70s and ‘80s in New York and San Francisco’s budding hip hop sounds. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

subculture

1 of 2 noun

sub·​cul·​ture ˈsəb-ˌkəl-chər 

1

: a culture (as of bacteria) derived from another culture

2

: an act or instance of producing a subculture

subcultural

-ˈkəlch-(ə-)rəl 

adjective

subculturally

-ē 

adverb

subculture

2 of 2 transitive verb

subcultured; subculturing

: to culture (as bacteria) anew on a fresh medium by inoculation from an older culture