popular culture

American

[pop-yuh-ler kuhl-cher] / ˈpɒp yə 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.

Secular and Christian popular culture swim in opposing halves of divided entertainment waters, despite broadcast TV’s lengthy history of featuring Christian-leaning shows, including “Touched by an Angel,” “Joan of Arcadia” and, however regrettably, “7th Heaven.”

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Each newly discovered species must be given a scientific name, and researchers often draw inspiration from people, experiences, or even popular culture.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026

The wolf-raven relationship is sometimes described in popular culture as harmonious, but Marzluff said it's ultimately pretty lopsided.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Andy Spinoza, who wrote Manchester Unspun, a detailed account of the city's recent transformation told through the lens of popular culture, says the city has "a unique hand".

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Talking about sports, TV popular culture, or anything else the client wants to discuss is absolutely appropriate to building a relationship that makes effective work possible.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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