pop culture

[ pop kuhl-cher ]

noun

1. popular culture.

adjective

1. Also pop cul·tur·al. relating, referring, or belonging to cultural and commercial artifacts, media, and entertainment reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people:

   The pop culture view of knights is often oversimplified.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pop culture¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

“The Golden Bachelor” became a pop culture sensation when it premiered last fall, only to disappoint fans when it resulted in the shortest marriage in the history of “The Bachelor” franchise.

From Los Angeles Times

After a strange, dark turn last week, when Bill Burr hosted the post-presidential election episode of “Saturday Night Live,” the show bounced back by flexing its pop culture muscles.

From Los Angeles Times

The event took social media by storm, with one person commenting on X it was "a historic pop culture moment", while another said the competition "shows that the people yearn for weird town events".

From BBC

Another session revolved around a documentary video, “Ark of Bones,” by the poet Harmony Holiday, that looks at the way Black culture is being co-opted by pop culture, business and government.

From Los Angeles Times

They've been a toy staple in households across the country and inspired the animated series "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic," which became a pop culture phenomenon and inspired male fans known as "bronies."

From Salon