Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense cultures, present participle culturing, past tense, past participle cultured
1. uncountable noun
Culture consists of activities such as the arts and philosophy, which are considered to be important for the development of civilization and of people's minds.
There is just not enough fun and frivolity in culture today.
...aspects of popular culture.
...France's Minister of Culture and Education.
Synonyms: the arts More Synonyms of culture
2. countable noun
A culture is a particular society or civilization, especially considered in relation to its beliefs, way of life, or art.
...people from different cultures.
We live in a culture that is competitive.
3. countable noun
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave.
The benefits system creates a culture of dependency. [+ of]
Banks need to change their culture to improve efficiency and service.
4. countable noun
In science, a culture is a group of bacteria or cells which are grown, usually in a laboratory as part of an experiment.
[technical]
...a culture of human cells. [+ of]
...a number of tissue culture experiments.
5. verb
In science, to culture a group of bacteria or cells means to grow them, usually in a laboratory as partof an experiment.
[technical]
To confirm the diagnosis, the hospital laboratory must culture a colony of bacteria. [VERB noun]
...cultured human blood cells. [VERB-ed]
More Synonyms of culture
culture in British English
(ˈkʌltʃə)
noun
1.
the total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which constitute the shared bases of social action
2.
the total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the group
the Mayan culture
3.
a particular civilization at a particular period
4.
the artistic and social pursuits, expression, and tastes valued by a society or class, as in the arts, manners, dress, etc
5.
the enlightenment or refinement resulting from these pursuits
6.
the attitudes, feelings, values, and behaviour that characterize and inform society as a whole or any social group within it
yob culture
7.
the cultivation of plants, esp by scientific methods designed to improve stock or to produce new ones
8. stockbreeding
the rearing and breeding of animals, esp with a view to improving the strain
9.
the act or practice of tilling or cultivating the soil
10. biology
a.
the experimental growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, in a nutrient substance (culture medium), usually under controlled conditions
See also culture medium
b.
a group of microorganisms grown in this way
verb(transitive)
11.
to cultivate (plants or animals)
12.
to grow (microorganisms) in a culture medium
Derived forms
culturist (ˈculturist)
noun
cultureless (ˈcultureless)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Old French, from Latin cultūra a cultivating, from colere to till; see cult
culture in American English
(ˈkʌltʃər)
noun
1.
cultivation of the soil
2.
production, development, or improvement of a particular plant, animal, commodity, etc.
3.
a.
the growth of bacteria, microorganisms, or other plant and animal cells in a speciallyprepared nourishing fluid or solid
b.
a colony of microorganisms or cells thus grown
4.
a.
development, improvement, or refinement of the intellect, emotions, interests, manners, and taste
b.
the result of this; refined ways of thinking, talking, and acting
5.
development or improvement of physical qualities by special training or care
body culture, voice culture
6.
a.
the ideas, customs, skills, arts, etc. of a people or group, that are transferred, communicated, or passed along, as in or to succeeding generations
b.
such ideas, customs, etc. of a particular people or group in a particular period;civilization
c.
the particular people or group having such ideas, customs, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcultured or ˈculturing
7.
to cultivate
8.
to grow (microorganisms or cells) in a specially prepared medium
Word origin
ME < L cultura < colere: see cult
COBUILD Collocations
culture
benefit culture
bonus culture
café culture
celebrity culture
consumer culture
diverse culture
dominant culture
drinking culture
embrace a culture
entrepreneurial culture
gang culture
lad culture
macho culture
mainstream culture
modern culture
political culture
reflect a culture
respect a culture
secular culture
shape culture
transform culture
yob culture
Examples of 'culture' in a sentence
culture
Is there anything that unites all these women from different cultures and time periods?
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The outcome may come back to culture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was a muchneeded change of culture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He put joy back into our culture for a few weeks and he made politicians seem real to me.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Popular culture snobbery Not so long ago cultural snobs held all the cards.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I was one of those around at that period that culture was very critical to building and sustaining and growing the movement.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
He argues that in art and culture the British embrace radical ideas and it's time we did in gardening.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I'm rather keen on the country, its people and its culture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It will also highlight allegations about the culture and practices of some officials at its plush headquarters.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The spreading of arts culture to a wider audience proved enormously popular.
Susie Gilbert and Jay Shir A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since1945 (2003)
They do that in the only way our culture recognises.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Video is the language of contemporary culture in just about any part of the world.
Christianity Today (2000)
We all know how important team culture and unity are.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is not my culture or philosophy.
The Sun (2007)
The history of medicinal cannabis stretches back across numerous cultures over thousands of years.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What about the culture of employer dependency?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This stuff is part of our culture.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
To what extent is there a biological basis for human culture?
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
What is your intake of popular culture like?
The Sun (2010)
Their cause is not about culture but about class.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The digital bedroom culture is growing all the time at the expense of the outdoors.
The Sun (2010)
How did we change the culture so that in general smoking was disapproved of in public places?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Is this the best advert for our arts and culture?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
And a change of culture in the way government is done is urgently needed.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The compensation culture just got a massive boost.
The Sun (2008)
Understanding the global culture is very important to business today.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The pace of economic activity and the growth of a culture of enterprise did not produce dramatic social dislocation.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
You will be exposed to different management ideas, business practices and cultures from around the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In the blame culture of modern society, governing bodies of sport can be soft and unfair targets.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
culture
British English: culture /ˈkʌltʃə/ NOUN
Culture consists of activities such as art, music, literature, and theatre.
Movies are part of our popular culture.
American English: culture
Arabic: ثَقَافَة
Brazilian Portuguese: cultura
Chinese: 文化
Croatian: kultura
Czech: kultura
Danish: kultur
Dutch: cultuur
European Spanish: cultura
Finnish: kulttuuri
French: culture
German: Kultur
Greek: πολιτισμός
Italian: cultura
Japanese: 文化
Korean: 문화
Norwegian: kultur
Polish: kultura
European Portuguese: cultura
Romanian: cultură
Russian: культура
Latin American Spanish: cultura
Swedish: kultur
Thai: วัฒนธรรม
Turkish: kültür
Ukrainian: культура
Vietnamese: văn hóa
All related terms of 'culture'
culture gap
a divide between two social groups that have different cultures
gun culture
the attitudes , feelings, values, and behaviour of a society, or any social group, in which guns are used
lad culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
yob culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
blame culture
the tendency to look for one person or organization that can be held responsible for a bad state of affairs , an accident , etc
bonus culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
café culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
cell culture
the growing of cells in a laboratory under controlled conditions
club culture
the practice of protecting the reputation of one's workforce in the face of criticism , above all other considerations
culture clash
a conflict arising from the interaction of people with different cultural values
culture fluid
the fluid used as a medium for growing microorganisms
culture hero
a mythical or mythicized historical figure who embodies the aspirations or ideals of a society
culture shock
Culture shock is a feeling of anxiety , loneliness, and confusion that people sometimes experience when they first arrive in another country.
gang culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
macho culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
pure culture
a culture containing a single species of microorganism
shape culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
youth culture
the activities and behaviour associated with young people
beauty culture
the skill or occupation of a beautician
benefit culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
cancel culture
a social climate in which a person, organization, etc is likely to be ostracized in response to a perceived wrongdoing
canteen culture
the alleged clannishness of the police force, whereby the prevalent attitudes inhibit officers from reporting or speaking out against malpractice , racism , etc
counter-culture
Counter-culture is a set of values , ideas , and ways of behaving that are completely different from those of the rest of society .
culture jamming
a form of political and social activism which, by means of fake adverts , hoax news stories, pastiches of company logos and product labels , computer hacking , etc, draws attention to and at the same time subverts the power of the media, governments, and large corporations to control and distort the information that they give to the public in order to promote consumerism , militarism , etc
culture medium
a nutritive substance, such as an agar gel or liquid medium , in which cultures of bacteria , fungi , animal cells, or plant cells are grown
culture vulture
a person considered to be excessively, and often pretentiously, interested in the arts
diverse culture
Culture consists of activities such as the arts and philosophy , which are considered to be important for the development of civilization and of people's minds .
modern culture
A culture is a particular society or civilization , especially considered in relation to its beliefs , way of life, or art.
popular culture
the general culture of a society , including ideas , music, books, and the mass media , as opposed to high culture
raunch culture
a culture which promotes overtly sexual representations of women, as through the acceptance of pornography , stripping, nudity in advertising , etc, esp when this is encouraged by women
secular culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
tissue culture
the growth of small pieces of animal or plant tissue in a sterile controlled medium
celebrity culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
consumer culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
corporate culture
the distinctive ethos of an organization that influences the level of formality , loyalty , and general behaviour of its employees
dominant culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
drinking culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
mainstream culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
material culture
the aggregate of physical objects or artifacts used by a society
political culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
transform culture
Culture consists of activities such as the arts and philosophy , which are considered to be important for the development of civilization and of people's minds .
compensation culture
a culture in which people are very ready to go to law over even relatively minor incidents in the hope of gaining compensation
culture-fair test
a test, usually for intelligence , that does not put anyone taking it at a disadvantage , esp regarding material or cultural background
culture-free test
a test (usually for intelligence ) that does not put anyone taking it at a disadvantage , for instance, as regards material or cultural background
embrace a culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
long-hours culture
The long-hours culture is the way in which some workers feel that they are expected to work much longer hours than they are paid to do.
nonmaterial culture
the aggregate of values, mores, norms , etc., of a society ; the ideational structure of a culture that provides the values and meanings by which it functions
organizational culture
the customs , rituals , and values shared by the members of an organization that have to be accepted by new members
reflect a culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
respect a culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
Chinese translation of 'culture'
culture
(ˈkʌltʃəʳ)
n
(c/u)文化 (wénhuà) (种(種), zhǒng)
(c) (Bio) 培养(養)的细(細)菌 (péiyǎng de xìjūn)
1 (noun)
France's Minister of Culture and Education
Synonyms
the arts
2 (noun)
Definition
a particular civilization at a particular period
people of different cultures
Synonyms
civilization
a race with an advanced state of civilization
society
This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society.
customs
way of life
Residents feared that their traditional way of life was being eroded.
3 (noun)
Definition
the ideas, customs, and art of a particular society
Social workers say this has created a culture of dependency.
Synonyms
lifestyle
the change of lifestyle occasioned by the baby's arrival
habit
way of life
cities where violence is a way of life
mores
4 (noun)
Definition
a developed understanding of the arts
He was a well-travelled man of culture and breeding.
Synonyms
refinement
a girl who possessed both dignity and refinement
education
breeding
She lost her temper completely and the veneer of good breeding dropped from her.
polish
She was enormously popular for her charm and polish.
enlightenment
We set off for the East in search of spiritual enlightenment.
accomplishment
sophistication
good taste
erudition
gentility
The old woman had an air of gentility about her.
urbanity
He had all the charm and urbanity of the trained diplomat.
5 (noun)
Definition
the cultivation and rearing of plants or animals
Synonyms
farming
He comes from a farming background.
agriculture
The country is strong in both industry and agriculture.
cultivation
environments where aridity makes cultivation of the land difficult
husbandry
The current meagre harvest suggests poor husbandry.
agronomy
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agriculture
Definition
the rearing of crops and livestock
The country is strong in both industry and agriculture.
Synonyms
farming,
culture,
cultivation,
husbandry,
tillage,
agronomy,
agronomics
in the sense of breeding
Definition
the result of good upbringing or training
She lost her temper completely and the veneer of good breeding dropped from her.
Synonyms
refinement,
style,
culture,
taste,
manners,
polish,
grace,
courtesy,
elegance,
sophistication,
delicacy,
cultivation,
politeness,
civility,
gentility,
graciousness,
urbanity,
politesse
in the sense of cultivation
Definition
the act of cultivating
environments where aridity makes cultivation of the land difficult