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

And certain vaccines are not safe for certain subsets of people—infants, the elderly, or the immunocompromised. —Diana Gitig, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2026

Teams evolve at different speeds, innovation concentrates among a small subset of employees, and trust across the organization weakens. —Matt Rosenbaum, Fortune, 29 May 2026

But the final study results disappointed investors, and the drug has been limited to a subset of patients. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

The question about the feud with Noah Wyle stems from a vocal subset of The Pitt fans who take to social media to often criticize the show, its character storylines and much of the time, Wyle himself. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 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