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subculture

Definition of Subculture

(noun) A group within society whose behaviors, norms, and values differ in some distinct ways from the dominant culture.

Example of Subculture

  • The Trekker (also called Trekkie) subculture has its own mode of dress (e.g., original series, Next Generation) beliefs (e.g., the Prime Directive), language (e.g., Klingon), and folklore (e.g., the individual wearing a red shirt will not return from an away mission).

Subculture Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: sub·cul·ture

Audio Pronunciation

– American English
– British English

Phonetic Spelling

  • American English – /sUHb-kuhl-chuhr/
  • British English – /sUHb-kuhl-chuh/

International Phonetic Alphabet

  • American English – /ˈsəbˌkəltʃər/
  • British English – /ˈsʌbˌkʌltʃə/

Usage Notes

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Additional Information

Related Terms


Works Consulted

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Cite the Definition of Subculture

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “subculture.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved March 19, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/subculture/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

subculture. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/subculture/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “subculture.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed March 19, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/subculture/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“subculture.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/subculture/>.