Definition of CULTURE (original) (raw)
1
a
: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group
also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time
b
: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization
a corporate culture focused on the bottom line
c
: the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic
studying the effect of computers on print culture
Changing the culture of materialism will take time …—
Peggy O'Mara
d
: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations
2
a
: enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training
b
: acquaintance with and taste in fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as distinguished from vocational and technical skills
3
: the act or process of cultivating living material (such as bacteria or viruses) in prepared nutrient media
also : a product of such cultivation
5
: the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education
6
: expert care and training
Synonyms
Examples of culture in a Sentence
Noun
In this new view, genes allow the human mind to learn, remember, imitate, imprint language, absorb culture and express instincts. —Matt Ridley, Time, 2 June 2003 Such an explanation seems sensible to a technologically advanced and ruthlessly competitive culture like our own, where anybody who fails to get at least a college degree … risks spending a life busing tables or telemarketing. —Natalie Angier, New York Times, 2 July 2002 Underlying the question "Is this as good as it gets?" was a female j'accuse—against a consumer culture where values like caring had been severely discounted. —Susan Faludi, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2001
a study of Greek language and culture Her art shows the influence of pop culture. It's important to learn about other cultures. The company's corporate culture is focused on increasing profits. an area that has been criticized for its lack of culture Verb
The virus is cultured in the laboratory from samples of infected tissue. culture bacteria in laboratory dishes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lamar often shows respect and admiration to Hispanic culture; Lamar collaborated with designer Willy Chavarria for his line of clothes for the Super Bowl. —Jason Jones, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, Borealis will sail through Spain and Portugal, blending Iberian culture with this astronomical spectacle. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Urine culture: This urine test involves culturing a urine sample to see if bacteria grow. —Steffini Stalos, Health, 25 Jan. 2025 After obtaining the cells, the researchers then cultured them in specialized growth media to create the living skin layer. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 28 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for culture 
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, cultivated land, cultivation, from Anglo-French, from Latin cultura, from cultus, past participle — see cult
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Verb
1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of culture was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near culture
Cite this Entry
“Culture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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