subculture

[verb suhb-kuhl-cher; noun suhb-kuhl-cher]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR subculture ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), sub·cul·tured, sub·cul·tur·ing.

Bacteriology. to cultivate (a bacterial strain) again on a new medium.

noun

Bacteriology. a culture derived in this manner.

Sociology.

the cultural values and behavioral patterns distinctive of a particular group in a society.
a group having social, economic, ethnic, or other traits distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same culture or society.

Origin of subculture

First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- + culture

Related formssub·cul·tur·al, adjectivesub·cul·tur·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for subculture

sect, coterie, moiety, sodality, crew, division, faction, group, faith, following, team, party, clan, association, band, folks, gang, tribe, class

Examples from the Web for subculture

Contemporary Examples of subculture

Many young women in the BDSM subculture find their way into a dominant role, whether coming from a submissive standpoint or not.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau
Ian Frisch
December 20, 2014
“I thought it was quite bizarre and kind of sick,” Dr. Grenci said of being introduced to the subculture in 1979.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix
Justin Jones
November 25, 2014
Dr. Grenci, who agrees, also saw it as a way to expand her own knowledge on the subculture and what makes it so appealing.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix
Justin Jones
November 25, 2014
Marilyn Johnson explored the subculture of obituary scribes in her wonderful 2006 book, The Dead Beat.
The Day the Fairytale Died
Marilyn Johnson
July 12, 2014
The rebelliousness of music spoke to this child of hippies and Levine had found his subculture.
The Buddhist Punk Reforming Drug Rehab
Stephen Krcmar
June 16, 2014

Historical Examples of subculture

These can be found in subculture, but also within the entrenched culture.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
Subculture, sub-kul′tūr, n. in bacteriology, a culture derived from a previous one.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for subculture

subculture

noun (ˈsʌbˌkʌltʃə)

a subdivision of a national culture or an enclave within it with a distinct integrated network of behaviour, beliefs, and attitudes

a culture of microorganisms derived from another culture

verb (sʌbˈkʌltʃə)

(tr) to inoculate (bacteria from one culture medium) onto another medium

Derived Formssubcultural, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subculture

1886, in reference to bacterial cultures, from sub- + culture (n.). From 1936 in reference to human cultures.

subculture in Medicine

subculture

[sŭb′kŭl′chər]

n.

A culture made by transferring to a fresh medium microorganisms from a previous culture.

subculture in Culture

subculture

A group within a society that has its own shared set of customs, attitudes, and values, often accompanied by jargon or slang. A subculture can be organized around a common activity, occupation, age, status, ethnic background, race, religion, or any other unifying social condition, but the term is often used to describe deviant groups, such as thieves and drug users. (See counterculture.)