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

Hulu is also discussing spinoffs of the franchise including looking at new secret lives of unusual subcultures that can be mined as well as putting existing cast members from Mormon Wives into other shows. —Peter White, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025

While these words all appear in the dictionary, this subculture has separated them from any consistent or intelligible application; here, they are merely deployed for atmospheric texture. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025

Even within rock, the subcultures were divided — and none more so than the punk and heavy metal crowds. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

Two is our love and inspiration from different subcultures. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for subculture

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

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