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
The community sentiment comes up a lot within this subculture.
—
Aaron Sagers, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Further down the gorge of TikTok depravity, there are things like TCC, or the True Crime Community, an online subculture that’s been tied to actual school shootings.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
In other words, the goonstate, so central to the subculture’s branding and self-conception, is only rarely attained.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Pain with a purpose Various cultures have adopted pointy shoes throughout history, often to signify status, wealth or a connection to a specific subculture.
—Michael Watson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subculture
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Aaron Sagers, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Further down the gorge of TikTok depravity, there are things like TCC, or the True Crime Community, an online subculture that’s been tied to actual school shootings.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
In other words, the goonstate, so central to the subculture’s branding and self-conception, is only rarely attained.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Pain with a purpose Various cultures have adopted pointy shoes throughout history, often to signify status, wealth or a connection to a specific subculture.
—Michael Watson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 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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