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

Merck’s bet on an antibody-drug conjugate developed in China has paid off in a major Phase 3 lung cancer study, where sacituzumab tirumotecan paired with Keytruda sharply outperformed Keytruda alone in a subset of lung cancer patients. —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 22 May 2026

Google's Biggest Gemini Features Haven’t Even Arrived Yet All of the above is just a small subset of the new features and updates that Google plans for Gemini. —Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 21 May 2026

That is especially true of the right of publicity, with NIL as a subset—this right forbids misappropriation of a person’s unique and marketable qualities, including their NIL, signature, voice, nickname or myriad other identifying traits of commercial value. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 May 2026

That makes the subset what mathematicians call an ideal. —Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 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