cultural revolution: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “cultural revolution” mean?
A significant and rapid change in the dominant ideas, values, and norms of a society, often driven by ideological or political forces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A significant and rapid change in the dominant ideas, values, and norms of a society, often driven by ideological or political forces.
It can refer specifically to the Cultural Revolution in China (1966–1976), a sociopolitical movement launched by Mao Zedong to purge capitalist and traditional elements, or metaphorically to any period of intense, radical change in a society's culture, arts, or intellectual life.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though UK sources may more frequently use it metaphorically in cultural criticism, while US sources might emphasize its historical/political dimension.
Connotations
Primarily negative due to association with violence, chaos, and suppression; can be neutral or positive only in abstract metaphorical use (e.g., a 'cultural revolution' in fashion).
Frequency
Higher frequency in historical, political, and sociological discourse than in general use.
Grammar
How to Use “cultural revolution” in a Sentence
the Cultural Revolution of [period/country]a cultural revolution in [field/domain]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cultural revolution” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The movement sought to cultural-revolutionise the entire education system.
American English
- The regime attempted to culturally revolutionize the populace.
adverb
British English
- The policies were implemented cultural-revolutionarily.
American English
- They acted cultural-revolutionarily, rejecting all past norms.
adjective
British English
- The cultural-revolutionary fervour of the period was immense.
American English
- The cultural revolutionary rhetoric dominated the media.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May be used metaphorically for disruptive industry changes (e.g., 'The app caused a cultural revolution in retail').
Academic
Common in history, political science, sociology, and cultural studies, with precise historical reference or as a theoretical concept.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used mainly by educated speakers discussing history or major societal shifts.
Technical
Specific term in Sinology and modern Chinese history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cultural revolution”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cultural revolution”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cultural revolution”
- Using it casually for minor trends (e.g., 'a cultural revolution in coffee shops'). Confusing lowercase and capitalised forms.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, only when it is a proper noun referring to the specific historical event in China. The lowercase form describes the general concept.
In abstract, metaphorical use it can (e.g., 'a positive cultural revolution in workplace attitudes'), but its primary historical reference carries strongly negative connotations of violence and chaos.
A 'revolution' typically implies political overthrow and change of government. A 'cultural revolution' focuses on the transformation of a society's culture, values, and social norms, which may or may not coincide with political revolution.
Because 'культурная революция' is a fixed term in Russian associated with the early Soviet period's policies on literacy and proletarian culture, creating a potential false friend with the English term which is dominantly linked to Maoist China.
A significant and rapid change in the dominant ideas, values, and norms of a society, often driven by ideological or political forces.
Cultural revolution is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Cultural revolution: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˌrevəˈluːʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˌrevəˈluːʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be a cultural revolution in the making”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CULTURE RE-VOLT-ing – a culture violently overturning itself.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A BODY undergoing violent purging/cleansing; CULTURE IS A STRUCTURE being demolished and rebuilt.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'cultural revolution' (lowercase) be most appropriately used?