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

The Australian all-female punk band Body Type is a product of the continent’s thriving, incredibly independent DIY movement, which is, sonically, one of the most distinct subcultures in the world. — Charles Moss, SPIN, 23 July 2026

For people who feel unseen in their offline lives, creators can offer language, humor, information, and entry into subcultures that once would have been hard to find. — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

This placed it more in the category of a new musical, which also meant needing to educate Broadway audiences about the subculture. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

The Hippyatnik festival, which first started in 1972, is known to be a gathering place for members of various subcultures; activities range from singing and dancing to body painting, cosplay, and sword fighting. — Lesya Lapina & Sergey Hyugge, The Dial, 21 July 2026

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