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

What begins as an exploration of the rebellion and freedom within this subculture evolves into a profound narrative of identity, loss, and healing. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025

Life drawing classes, singing bowl concerts, rope bondage groups: For decades, all have been welcome at their 2,500-square-foot meeting room upstairs, a sanctuary for Kansas City subcultures. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025

From this perspective, an attack on empathy is inevitable, especially among the evangelical subculture most susceptible to Christian nationalist propaganda. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

Also featured are metal cowboys from Botswana, who champion their subculture there. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 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