popular culture

American

[pop-yuh-ler kuhl-cher] / ˈpɒp jə lər ˈkʌl tʃər /

noun

cultural and commercial artifacts, media, and entertainment reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people.

Most artists are influenced by a variety of external sources, including popular culture.
The actor's role in the series made her an important figure in popular culture.

Etymology

Origin of popular culture

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rock music no longer occupies the same place in popular culture.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026

The film arrives at a time when discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena, government transparency and artificial intelligence have moved from the fringes of popular culture into mainstream debate.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

The economic benefits were lasting; and so was the impression Chapman made, initially on the communities he visited and, over time, on American popular culture.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Nevertheless, the wormhole metaphor flourished in popular culture and speculative theoretical physics.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

I grew up in a home with very little exposure to popular culture.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023