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

It’s long been known that WhatsApp’s support team can view a subset of user messages, but importantly, these messages have been manually reported for abuse and thus forwarded to Meta. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 May 2026

Fuller had recorded the video in the style of a University of Georgia football fan account, but only a small subset of perpetually online Dawgs stans got the joke. —Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 1 May 2026

But with its custom upgrades, Crayola appealed to a very niche subset of buyers. —Byron Hurd, The Drive, 30 Apr. 2026

CarEdge also offers extended vehicle warranties through Fair Warranty and backed by AUL Corporation, a subset of Protective Asset Protection. —Danny Smith, USA Today, 30 Apr. 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