subset

noun

sub·​set ˈsəb-ˌset 

1

: a set each of whose elements is an element of an inclusive set

2

: division, portion

a subset of our community

Examples of subset in a Sentence

The set {1,2,3} is a subset of the set {1,2,3,4,5}.

Only a small subset of the patients in the study experienced these side effects.

Recent Examples on the Web

The analysis focused on a subset of the data where a definitive match could be made between the two sources. —Laura Romero, ABC News, 12 June 2026

The report defines functional fragrances as a subset of the fragrance category that goes beyond providing a pleasant scent to offer users specific therapeutic benefits. —Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

But there’s a subset of longevity culture that has drifted towards solely optimizing sleep scores, tracking biomarkers and counting macronutrients, without any additional human context. —Lucia Aronica, CNBC, 10 June 2026

Aspiring early retirees of a more modest sort curb their ambitions considerably; the LeanFIRE subset, for example, counts adherents who are saving for subsistence, a nest egg that will cover just their basic necessities. —Joshua Rivera, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

subset

noun

sub·​set ˈsəb-ˌset 

: a mathematical set that is a part of another mathematical set

the set of even numbers is a subset of the set of all numbers