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 segment, known as Lane 1, covers a subset of the Space Force’s more risk-tolerant missions. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Under a new National Priority Review Program, Makary’s FDA cut a subset of drug review times from roughly a year to one or two months. — Avik Roy, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Federal health officials have linked shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states to a subset of the outbreak, prompting the fast-food chain to pull Taylor Farms lettuce from its food. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 21 July 2026

The pressures to look a certain way — hypermasculine, muscular and stylish, for example, among certain subsets of gay men, can be just as harsh and punishing. — Stephanie Fairyington, CNN Money, 17 July 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