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

At the time, the term “generation gap” loomed large in popular culture, signifying the struggle between the baby boomers and their parents.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

It was always going to be difficult trying to replicate the success of the original 2006 film, which is still regularly quoted in popular culture and has recently become a West End musical.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

This time along with Rossen Ventzislavov, an educator who brought me out to Woodbury University last spring as a fellow to teach a one-of-a-kind semester on Black modernism in architecture, design and popular culture.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

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

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