subculture

noun

sub·​cul·​ture ˈsəb-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce subculture (audio)
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- How to pronounce subculture (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Elements of subcultures seeped into style, from wide-leg rave jeans with aggressive hardware to jeans with colorful anime prints. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025 An interesting way these communities run is by sharing and associating with memes to indicate their knowledge of that subculture, explains Julian Burton, PhD in his research on youth, memes and the power of online cultural politics. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 They are split into rival gangs with distinct identities and subcultures and compete for the Sukeban World Championship. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025 Sukeban’s league features top-tier Japanese wrestlers competing as members of rival gangs with distinct identities and subcultures from across Tokyo, all vying for the Sukeban World Championship. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for subculture

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of subculture was in 1885

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subculture. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

subculture

1 of 2 noun
sub·​cul·​ture ˈsəb-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce subculture (audio)
1
: a culture (as of bacteria) derived from another culture
2
: an act or instance of producing a subculture
subcultural adjective
subculturally adverb

subculture

2 of 2 transitive verb
subcultured; subculturing
: to culture (as bacteria) anew on a fresh medium by inoculation from an older culture
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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