Synonyms

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.

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

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

"His story has not been told and I really wanted him to be remembered in a significant way, given that his work is all about popular culture, everyday life," she said.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Christian symbols were lifted from church contexts and recirculated through popular culture, including fashion, in new ways.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

Eurovision's vast archives rack up millions of views on YouTube, with performances that have become entrenched in popular culture.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

Eddington’s painstaking publicity campaign launched the theory of relativity into popular culture and its father, Albert Einstein, into a life of international renown.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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