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

Under Par’s old leadership, that company’s own premium brand, Showtime, has been all but destroyed, leaving Paramount+ desperately in need of the kind of upscale content that gets a certain subset of subscribers to shell out for a higher tier. —Josef Adalian, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025

This last subset in particular, commonly known as reinforcement learning, teaches machines to perform their tasks by rating their performance, enabling them to continuously improve through experience. —Preeti Nair, Space.com, 7 Dec. 2025

There’s only a very small subset of ultralighters who are looking for a way to lose the weight of their smartphone while also having an emergency messaging device. —Benjamin Tepler, Outside, 6 Dec. 2025

Most of a casino’s revenue is generated from slot machines, and much of the slot machine revenue is generated from a small subset of gamblers. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 6 Dec. 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