subculture

[suhb-kuhl-cher, suhb-kuhl-cher]

verb (used with object)

subcultured, subculturing 

1. Bacteriology.,  to cultivate (a bacterial strain) again on a new medium.

noun

1. Bacteriology.,  a culture derived in this manner.

2. Sociology.

   1. the cultural values and behavioral patterns distinctive of a particular group in a society.

   2. a group having social, economic, ethnic, or other traits distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same culture or society.

subculture

noun

1. a subdivision of a national culture or an enclave within it with a distinct integrated network of behaviour, beliefs, and attitudes

2. a culture of microorganisms derived from another culture

verb

1. (tr) to inoculate (bacteria from one culture medium) onto another medium

subculture

1. A group within a society that has its own shared set of customs, attitudes, and values, often accompanied by jargon or slang. A subculture can be organized around a common activity, occupation, age, status, ethnic background, race, religion, or any other unifying social condition, but the term is often used to describe deviant groups, such as thieves and drug users. (See counterculture.)

Other Word Forms

• subcultural adjective
• subculturally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of subculture¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- + culture

Example Sentences

This enthusiasm to connect with like-minded film and music freaks online has bred a new dark subculture that simply won’t die.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nearly all the performers hailed from the world of worship music; there was nary a nod to what might resonate with people outside white evangelical subculture.

Read more on Salon

To make a music scene you need four things: cheap housing, recent art-school graduates, a stage where anyone can play and a small clique of young critics eager to discover a new subculture.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Another shell casing, authorities say, read "NoTices Bulge OWO What's This?" - a reference to a meme about furry subculture and online roleplaying.

Read more on BBC

Many on the left are eager to explore the ways that Kirk's killer might have been radicalised by internet subcultures and group chats.

Read more on BBC