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

This subset of the alliance — comprising heavyweight producers Russia and Saudi Arabia, alongside Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates — met digitally earlier in the day. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 5 July 2025

The principals also largely agreed that a small subset of students with severe behavioral issues are more likely to be removed than other students with disabilities. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Feucht comes from a subset of evangelical Christianity known as the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025

Erdős wanted to measure the size of those extra-large sum-free subsets. —Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025

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