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

Meanwhile, militant leftists, a small subset of extremist violence in the United States, are portrayed as a threat on par with global terrorist networks such as al-Qaida. —Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 14 May 2026

These assistants will automate end-to-end processes by orchestrating a subset of over 200 specialized agents to execute precise tasks, SAP said. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 May 2026

These findings suggest that while AI adoption continues to grow, tangible organizational transformation remains concentrated among a smaller subset of enterprises. —William Jones, USA Today, 12 May 2026

Many of Ng’s questions focused on a 2022 police interview in which Harris confirmed a rivalry between the two groups, which prosecutors allege were affiliated with different street gang subsets. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 May 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