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 Social Security Administration bases its COLA each year on the average annual increases in a subset of the overall consumer price index called the index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, from July through September. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026

While most species are harmless, there is a subset that can have serious public health consequences, like Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba. —Devika Rao, TheWeek, 11 Feb. 2026

Viewers who watch the game on Peacock will see all the big commercials the Super Bowl is known for — and a smaller subset of ads earmarked as streaming-only. —Sarah Whitten,sara Salinas,sarah Jackson,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026

Even among this subset of humanity, Vonn was unusually experienced at competing—and medaling—with preexisting injuries. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• 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