subculture
noun
sub·cul·ture
ˈsəb-ˌkəl-chər 
1
a
: a culture (as of bacteria) derived from another culture
b
: an act or instance of producing a subculture
2
: an ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behavior sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society
a criminal subculture
Examples of subculture in a Sentence
a subculture of local painters
a subculture of poverty and crime
Recent Examples on the Web
But some of the online meme culture referenced in the evidence, including engravings on bullet casings believed to have been made by Robinson, triggered speculation among liberals that he was involved with the far-right Groyper subculture.
—
Amanda Castro
shane Croucher
anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
In earlier decades subcultures developed locally.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Many people seem to dwell in politically siloed subcultures (red states, blue cities, suburban group chats, neighborhood-watch forums) that drive them to misanthropy, doomscrolling, and, yes, neurosis.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Robinson joins a long list of shooting suspects from the last decade who have referenced memes, online subcultures and video games in their writings.
—Ben Goggin, NBC news, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subculture
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Amanda Castro
shane Croucher
anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
In earlier decades subcultures developed locally.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Many people seem to dwell in politically siloed subcultures (red states, blue cities, suburban group chats, neighborhood-watch forums) that drive them to misanthropy, doomscrolling, and, yes, neurosis.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Robinson joins a long list of shooting suspects from the last decade who have referenced memes, online subcultures and video games in their writings.
—Ben Goggin, NBC news, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subculture
Cite this Entry
“Subculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subculture. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
subculture
1 of 2 noun
sub·cul·ture
ˈsəb-ˌkəl-chər
1
: a culture (as of bacteria) derived from another culture
2
: an act or instance of producing a subculture
subculture
2 of 2 transitive verb
subcultured; subculturing
: to culture (as bacteria) anew on a fresh medium by inoculation from an older culture
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