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
Examples of subculture in a Sentence
a subculture of local painters
a subculture of poverty and crime
Recent Examples on the Web
Ska music’s rise in Orange County is another focus of the book, with Sublime and No Doubt leading the way in the third-wave sound of the ’90s, which was another musical subculture emerging concurrently with punk rock and hardcore in the region.
—
Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
For many of the same reasons that retro jerseys have become one of football’s most popular subcultures, the shirt restoration market is experiencing a surge.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 1 June 2025
The theme magnifies subcultures by combining elements of punk, goth, grunge and metal.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
That’s especially evident with young Saudis who have carved out a fashion subculture by embracing streetwear.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subculture
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Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
For many of the same reasons that retro jerseys have become one of football’s most popular subcultures, the shirt restoration market is experiencing a surge.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 1 June 2025
The theme magnifies subcultures by combining elements of punk, goth, grunge and metal.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 May 2025
That’s especially evident with young Saudis who have carved out a fashion subculture by embracing streetwear.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subculture
Cite this Entry
“Subculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subculture. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
subculture
2 of 2 transitive verb
subcultured; subculturing
: to culture (as bacteria) anew on a fresh medium by inoculation from an older culture
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