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

The scientists analyzed the data of 23,088 people who had DXA scans of their arms, legs and trunk fat, as well as a smaller subset of 18,886 participants who also had visceral fat measurements taken. —New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025

But the suits also advance an equally compelling case for why a specific subset of the public—the college athletes—has a direct stake in this transparency. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Kicking off its festival run at San Sebastian, the doc is primarily of interest to dance buffs and devotees of both performers, but may wind up courting a subset of the audience for such crossover theater-cinema events as the National Theater’s popular NT Live releases. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025

While all the attention is seemingly focused on barrel-proof whiskey, there is a substantial, less vocal subset of the market that prefers their whiskey at lower strength. —Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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