culture
noun (countable)
UK/ˈkʌl.tʃər/US/ˈkʌl.tʃɚ/
The cultivation of bacteria, tissue cells, or other living matter in an artificial medium containing nutrients.
Example Sentences
The laboratory performed cultures to identify the bacterial strain causing the infection.
He studied cell cultures to understand the effects of the new drug on tissue growth.
Sterile conditions are essential when working with microbial cultures to prevent contamination.
The scientist maintained cultures of different bacteria to conduct various experiments.
They used cultures to produce antibiotics in large quantities for medical use.
Culturing cells in vitro allows researchers to observe cellular processes in a controlled environment.
The growth of fungal cultures was monitored to study their resistance to the treatment.
Proper labeling of cultures is crucial for keeping track of samples during the research process.
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Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/kənˈtjuːl/US/kənˈtjuːl/
To cultivate or nurture the growth of; to foster the development of.
Example Sentences
Teachers strive to create an environment that fosters creativity and critical thinking.
The organization works to create opportunities for underprivileged youth through education and mentorship programs.
She created a support group to help individuals cope with stress and anxiety.
Artists often create their own studios to have complete control over their creative process.
The company aims to create innovative products that meet the evolving needs of consumers.
He created a mentorship program to guide new employees and help them integrate into the company culture.
By creating a culture of transparency, the management team builds trust and encourages open communication among staff.
The nonprofit organization created a foundation to support research and development in renewable energy technologies.
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How to Use
Collective beliefs, practices, and values that define a group’s way of life.In everyday usage, this noun points to the customs, social practices, artistic expressions, and sets of values developed by a particular group or society over time. You might say, “Japanese culture places high emphasis on respect and etiquette,” or “Pop culture heavily influences what teenagers wear and listen to.” It can also highlight a company’s environment: “The workplace culture encourages open dialogue.” When you use this term, clarify whether you’re referring to traditions (like festivals, folk tales, art forms), social norms (like acceptable behavior, social roles), or broader frameworks of ideas (like attitudes toward family and work). You may also encounter the concept in discussions about organizational culture—how a company’s shared values dictate employee interaction and decision-making. In other contexts, “culture” can refer to an academic field studying these collective habits (cultural studies), or to the process of cultivating microorganisms in a lab (bacterial culture). Overall, it is a flexible word that always involves a shared sense of identity, practices, and knowledge, each passed down or adapted through generations. By specifying region, time period, or organizational context, you help listeners or readers pinpoint exactly which community or dimension you mean, emphasizing how “culture” underpins group identity and everyday life experiences.
Alternatives
In different contexts, you can use synonymous or closely related words to avoid overusing “culture.” For instance, “civilization” can suggest an advanced or historical society, focusing on large-scale developments like architecture, art, and governance. “Heritage” zooms in on traditions passed from one generation to the next, often highlighting ancestral connections and preserving older practices. “Society” might substitute when you’re discussing the broader social structure of a people, including institutions and norms. If you want to talk specifically about the atmosphere within a smaller community—such as a business or organization—use “environment” or “climate” (e.g., “office climate”) to focus on day-to-day interactions and attitudes. “Customs” and “traditions” draw attention to specific rituals or repeated practices, while “lifestyle” may emphasize daily habits and personal routines. When discussing the “culture” of a specialized group—like gamers, artists, or hobbyists—“subculture” or “scene” highlights their distinct ethos. Each of these terms fine-tunes your meaning, whether you’re exploring the grandeur of ancient civilizations, the vibe within a startup, or the close-knit customs of a local community. By choosing the best alternative, you highlight unique facets of belief systems, shared behaviors, or social frameworks while sidestepping repetitive mentions of “culture.”
Writing
In writing, “culture” anchors broader discussions of identity, social behavior, or organizational ethos. Whether you’re penning an academic paper on anthropology or a blog post celebrating a region’s art and festivals, provide specific details so your audience can visualize how that culture manifests. For a sociological study, you might track how cultural norms evolve over generations or compare how different cultures respond to similar challenges like healthcare, gender roles, or technology. In corporate or marketing contexts, you could dissect workplace culture to illustrate how leadership style and core values shape employee engagement and productivity. Remember to include examples—holidays, rituals, architecture, or decision-making habits—that bring the cultural dynamics to life. If you frequently refer to culture, slip in synonyms like “heritage,” “social fabric,” or “community values” to maintain linguistic variety. Clarify boundaries: define if it’s a national, ethnic, religious, or organizational culture, and highlight any internal diversity (regional differences, subcultures). This approach helps readers appreciate both unity (shared language, beliefs, celebrations) and the subtle distinctions that can arise within the same cultural sphere. As you layer these details, “culture” ceases to be an abstract label and becomes a vivid tapestry of human interaction, shaped by tradition, innovation, and everyday practices.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, you might use “culture” casually to describe customs or behaviors you notice in various places or groups. When you say, “I love the cafe culture in that city,” you’re complimenting how people socialize around coffee or pastries. If discussing personal experiences, you might say, “I grew up in a different culture, so I had to adapt,” referring to norms and expectations that were new or unusual to you. Fans talk about pop culture, referencing trending music, memes, and fashion that unite (or divide) people across social media. If a friend travels abroad, you might ask, “What’s the culture like there?” wanting an insight into local traditions, attitudes, and day-to-day living. In the workplace, “company culture” can surface in quick chats—“Our office culture is super relaxed,” giving a friend or colleague a sense of how employees dress, interact, and maintain schedules. Sometimes, you’ll hear “culture shock,” describing the jolt of encountering drastically different ways of life. The gist is: “culture” in casual speech sums up how people do things—eating, dressing, celebrating, socializing—forming a recognizable bond in any group, from gamers to dog lovers to full-fledged societies. By pairing everyday observations with respect for others’ norms, you keep “culture” an open, welcoming term that fosters curiosity about how other groups organize life and values.
Etymology
The English word “culture” finds its roots in the Latin “cultura,” stemming from “colere,” meaning “to cultivate, tend, or care for.” In its earliest uses, it referred to the tending of crops or animals—agriculture—and thus carried a sense of nurturing growth. Over time, this notion expanded metaphorically to encompass intellectual, spiritual, and social cultivation. By the Enlightenment era, “culture” began signifying the improvement of the mind through education and the arts, linking it to refinement and civilization. With anthropology and sociology gaining ground in the 19th and 20th centuries, “culture” grew broader, describing the collective beliefs, customs, institutions, and achievements of a group. While modern usage often applies to entire nations, subcultures, or corporations, the enduring essence remains: “culture” stands for something developed and tended, akin to how a farmer cultivates land. It embodies the nurturing of shared values, habits, and traditions that distinguish one community or society from another—an ongoing, living process that shapes how people interact, learn, and pass on knowledge through generations.