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

Keeping only a small, hot subset of resources in RAM helps ensure resilience to (semi-)random URL DDoS attacks, reducing disk I/O bottlenecks. —Alexander Krizhanovsky, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

The companies also plan to release data on a subset of patients in the study who took Enhertu alone. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 June 2025

The additional legwork to get an app in front of a subset of new users meant this was always going to be a steep climb, and Google struggles to incentivize developers to adopt new features. —Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025

In a soft corner of the internet, a subset of mom-fluencers appear to be plucked from an idyllic past. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 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