popular culture

[pop-yuh-ler kuhl-cher]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of popular culture¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

A woman who knows that I write about women and popular culture told me about this amazing Norwegian series on Netflix that she couldn’t remember the name of.

From Salon

Mary Corey, a senior continuing lecturer at UCLA’s history department who studies American social movements and popular culture, said Kirk’s death disturbed her.

From Los Angeles Times

She said the "traditional top hitters" always make the list, but beneath those are names influenced by popular culture.

From BBC

Even the rise of a distinctive American popular culture was infused with defenses of white supremacy and slavery.

From Salon

They quickly bonded over their mutual love of movies like “Caddyshack” and other shared tastes in popular culture.

From Los Angeles Times