Culture Meaning
Culture Definition & Usage
The customs, beliefs, arts, and social institutions of a particular group of people or society.
Examples
- "Japanese culture places a high value on respect and politeness."
- "The culture of the 1960s was heavily influenced by the civil rights movement."
- "He studied ancient Roman culture at university."
- "The local culture in the rural village was preserved through centuries of tradition."
- "Modern Western culture has been shaped by numerous historical movements, such as the Renaissance."
The artistic and intellectual achievement of a society, especially in the fields of literature, music, philosophy, and the fine arts.
Examples
- "The city is known for its rich cultural heritage, especially in theater and music."
- "His passion for culture led him to write books about the history of art."
- "Paris is often regarded as a cultural hub, with world-class museums and performances."
- "Her interest in high culture made her a frequent visitor to opera houses and galleries."
- "The museum is dedicated to preserving the culture of ancient civilizations through art and artifacts."
The process of cultivating plants or raising animals for food, often in a controlled environment.
Examples
- "The culture of crops is vital for sustaining food supplies."
- "They used a laboratory culture to study bacteria."
- "This farm specializes in the culture of organic fruits and vegetables."
- "The culture of algae in bioreactors can help produce renewable energy."
- "In veterinary science, the culture of animal cells is essential for research."
Cultural Context
The word 'culture' comes from the Latin 'cultūra', which originally referred to the cultivation of the earth. Over time, it expanded to encompass human activities that reflect the collective knowledge, beliefs, and practices of a society. Culture plays a crucial role in shaping personal and collective identities, influencing everything from art to social customs.
The Culture of Change
Story
The Culture of Change
As Emma walked through the bustling streets of the city, she marveled at how much the culture had shifted since her childhood. Growing up in a small town, her experience of culture had been shaped by local traditions, family gatherings, and the communal love of old music. In the city, however, she was struck by the diversity of cultural expressions: street art, a fusion of global cuisines, and even the blending of old and new in architecture. Her friend Lucas, who had been studying sociology, shared a theory about this blending. 'Culture,' he explained, 'is always evolving. What we see now, this mixture of high and low culture, is just the current phase of a much larger cycle. In some ways, the city represents a microcosm of the world.' Later, they visited a museum, where they were immersed in a different kind of culture—the historical artifacts and art of ancient civilizations. Emma admired the intricate designs of ancient pottery while Lucas pointed out how the artwork often reflected the values of its creators. 'This is the essence of high culture,' he said. 'These are the achievements of societies at their peak.' Afterward, they took a detour through a nearby park, where an artist was setting up a street performance. The crowd that gathered reflected the city's diverse cultural landscape: people from all walks of life enjoying the spontaneous art form. Emma realized that culture wasn't just about what was preserved in museums or performed on grand stages; it was also about the ongoing, living practices of people. As the evening came to a close, they discussed how culture, in all its forms, had the power to unify or divide. It was a mirror of society, and yet it was something that could influence change. 'What makes culture so fascinating,' Lucas concluded, 'is how it shapes us and how we shape it in return.' Through the day, Emma had seen multiple sides of culture: its role in society, in history, and in personal identity. It was clear that culture was far more complex than she'd ever realized—and it was something that would always continue to evolve.
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