culture

[kuhl-cher]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR culture ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

that which is excellent in the arts, manners, etc.

a particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period: Greek culture.

development or improvement of the mind by education or training.

the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group: the youth culture; the drug culture.

Anthropology. the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.

Biology.

the cultivation of microorganisms, as bacteria, or of tissues, for scientific study, medicinal use, etc.
the product or growth resulting from such cultivation.

the act or practice of cultivating the soil; tillage.

the raising of plants or animals, especially with a view to their improvement.

the product or growth resulting from such cultivation.

verb (used with object), cul·tured, cul·tur·ing.

to subject to culture; cultivate.

Biology.

to grow (microorganisms, tissues, etc.) in or on a controlled or defined medium.
to introduce (living material) into a culture medium.

Origin of culture

1400–50; late Middle English: tilling, place tilled (< Anglo-French) < Latin cultūra. See cult, -ure

Related formsan·ti·cul·ture, nounin·ter·cul·ture, adjectivein·ter·cul·ture, nounmul·ti·cul·ture, nounnon·cul·ture, nounpre·cul·ture, nounsu·per·cul·ture, noun

Synonyms for culture

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR culture ON THESAURUS.COM

4. See education.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for cultures

fashion, art, ability, science, practice, experience, civilization, perception, skill, development, lifestyle, knowledge, habit, society, folklore, agriculture, manners, learning, polish, dress

Examples from the Web for cultures

Contemporary Examples of cultures

“Cultures” Versus “White Girls” As you can probably sense from my scare quotes, you can never be too careful these days.
Solange Smacks Jay Z, Legolas Slaps Bieber, and the Biggest Celebrity Feuds of the Year
Amy Zimmerman
December 24, 2014
The city served as a crossroads for African, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cultures.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town
Nina Strochlic
December 11, 2014
It's often said that America is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities.
What It's Like To Be Ambiguously Ethnic
The Daily Beast Video
November 24, 2014
Death is interpreted differently by various people, cultures, and even science.
What It’s Like to Wake Up Dead
Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad
November 21, 2014
And by pronouncing other cultures and political systems “evil,” there was the assurance that America was good.
How Obama's Shallow Worldview Failed Us
Stuart Stevens
August 29, 2014

Historical Examples of cultures

With all your powers you must live at the whim of other cultures.
Cubs of the Wolf
Raymond F. Jones
"Cultures skid backwards when they're transplanted," the Captain said.
Blind Man's Lantern
Allen Kim Lang
Compare the naked-eye appearances of the cultures from day to day.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique
John William Henry Eyre
You see, what Thurston didn't realize was that his cultures were contaminated.
Pandemic
Jesse Franklin Bone
Great cities have always been the melting-pots of races and of cultures.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology
Robert E. Park

British Dictionary definitions for cultures

culture

noun

the total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which constitute the shared bases of social action

the total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the groupthe Mayan culture

a particular civilization at a particular period

the artistic and social pursuits, expression, and tastes valued by a society or class, as in the arts, manners, dress, etc

the enlightenment or refinement resulting from these pursuits

the attitudes, feelings, values, and behaviour that characterize and inform society as a whole or any social group within ityob culture

the cultivation of plants, esp by scientific methods designed to improve stock or to produce new ones

stockbreeding the rearing and breeding of animals, esp with a view to improving the strain

the act or practice of tilling or cultivating the soil

biology

the experimental growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, in a nutrient substance (culture medium), usually under controlled conditionsSee also culture medium
a group of microorganisms grown in this way

verb (tr)

to cultivate (plants or animals)

to grow (microorganisms) in a culture medium

Derived Formsculturist, nouncultureless, adjective

Word Origin for culture

C15: from Old French, from Latin cultūra a cultivating, from colere to till; see cult

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cultures

culture

mid-15c., "the tilling of land," from Middle French culture and directly from Latin cultura "a cultivating, agriculture," figuratively "care, culture, an honoring," from past participle stem of colere "tend, guard, cultivate, till" (see cult). The figurative sense of "cultivation through education" is first attested c.1500. Meaning "the intellectual side of civilization" is from 1805; that of "collective customs and achievements of a people" is from 1867.

For without culture or holiness, which are always the gift of a very few, a man may renounce wealth or any other external thing, but he cannot renounce hatred, envy, jealousy, revenge. Culture is the sanctity of the intellect. [William Butler Yeats]

Slang culture vulture is from 1947. Culture shock first recorded 1940.

cultures in Medicine

culture

[kŭl′chər]

n.

The growing of microorganisms, tissue cells, or other living matter in a specially prepared nutrient medium.

Such a growth or colony, as of bacteria.

v.

To grow microorganisms or other living matter in a specially prepared nutrient medium.

To use a substance as a medium for culture.

cultures in Science

culture

[kŭl′chər]

Noun

A growth of microorganisms, viruses, or tissue cells in a specially prepared nutrient medium under supervised conditions.

The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. Culture is learned and shared within social groups and is transmitted by nongenetic means.

Verb

To grow microorganisms, viruses, or tissue cells in a nutrient medium.

cultures in Culture

culture

The sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another. Culture is transmitted, through language, material objects, ritual, institutions, and art, from one generation to the next.

Note

Anthropologists consider that the requirements for culture (language use, tool making, and conscious regulation of sex) are essential features that distinguish humans from other animals.

Note

Culture also refers to refined music, art, and literature; one who is well versed in these subjects is considered “cultured.”