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

Because social media gives me access to conversations among people of all ages, from every place and subculture, I am exposed to a virtual fire hose of slang. —Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 24 June 2024

This process has seen the subculture become more mainstream and commercialized. —Red Rodriguez, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024

Like most subcultures, lowrider culture has been mined by the fashion industry, from Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. label in the early 2000s, to designer Willy Chavarria’s more authentic view today. —Booth Moore, WWD, 15 June 2024

And tattoos play a starring role in the Yakuza subculture, showcased when criminals with bodies inked from head to toe gather in a public bathhouse to kill their psychotic leader. —Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 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