popular culture

American  

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

noun

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of popular culture

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The song has enjoyed a long life in popular culture — it’s been sampled by rappers like Foxy Brown, BigXThaPlug and Flo Milli, and frequently appeared on soundtracks for TV shows and films like “Friends.”

From Los Angeles Times

Kohl’s Cash is fast becoming part of popular culture, much the way Bed Bath & Beyond’s “Big Blue” oversize 20% off coupons were a touchstone before the retailer filed for bankruptcy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Political thrillers have been a staple of popular culture since the 1960s, when the Cold War threw conspiracy theory-loving writers into overdrive, and television and film are no exception.

From Los Angeles Times

The term refers to a fundamental difference in the way two people carry and present themselves that goes beyond the beauty-meets-brain dynamic long depicted in popular culture.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wall Street bankers once made for perfect foils in popular culture.

From Barron's