Origin: Latin suffix -ure
Culture has 10 different meanings across 2 categories:
a particular society at a particular time and place
"early Mayan civilization"
the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group
"The museum's new exhibit perfectly captured the vibrant culture of the local jazz community, showcasing everything from their unique fashion to their favorite composers."
all the knowledge and values shared by a society
"Traveling to Japan allowed me to immerse myself in their unique culture, where respect for elders and harmony are deeply embedded in daily interactions."
(biology) the growing of microorganisms in a nutrient medium (such as gelatin or agar)
"the culture of cells in a Petri dish"
a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
"they performed with great polish"
"I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose"
"almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art"
the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization
"the developing drug culture"
"the reason that the agency is doomed to inaction has something to do with the FBI culture"
The arts, customs, lifestyles, background, and habits that characterize a particular society or nation.
"Traveling abroad offered me a deep appreciation for the diverse culture of Japan, from its ancient tea ceremonies to its modern street fashion."
In plain English: Culture is the shared beliefs, habits, and ways of doing things that make up a specific group of people.
"Our culture values hard work and community above all else."
Usage: Use "culture" to describe the shared beliefs, arts, customs, and behaviors that define a specific group of people or society. Avoid using it as a verb meaning to cultivate plants or soil in everyday conversation.
to maintain in an environment suitable for growth (especially of bacteria) (compare cultivate)
"The microbiologist carefully cultured the bacterial sample on a nutrient agar plate to observe its growth patterns."
In plain English: To culture something means to grow it carefully, like raising bacteria in a lab or nurturing plants until they thrive.
"They decided to culture the bacteria in a sterile laboratory dish."
Usage: Use "culture" as a verb primarily in scientific or medical contexts to describe growing microorganisms like bacteria or fungi in a controlled laboratory setting. While related to the broader concept of cultivation, this specific usage refers strictly to maintaining biological samples in an environment suitable for their growth and reproduction.
The word culture comes from the Latin cultūra, meaning "cultivation," which originally referred to farming or tending crops. Over time, it traveled into English through Middle French to describe both agricultural care and the development of human arts and intellect.