subsume

verb

sub·​sume səb-ˈsüm 

subsumed; subsuming

transitive verb

: to include or place within something larger or more comprehensive : encompass as a subordinate or component element

red, green, and yellow are subsumed under the term "color"

subsumable

səb-ˈsü-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of subsume

• include
• contain
• involve
• encompass
• carry

Examples of subsume in a Sentence

games and team sports are subsumed under the classification of “recreation”

Recent Examples on the Web

Jay has always skillfully folded each turn into his larger mythology, going from drug dealer to rapper to label boss to executive with an air of inevitability, every choice subsumed into the glory of the hustle. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Marchesi 1824, the historic Milanese pasticceria Prada Group acquired in 2014, has operated its Galleria outpost here since September 2016 and will be subsumed into the larger Prada complex. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026

A number of pasts—Dutch, Puritan English, and revolutionary era—have been subsumed in the telling, and the changes Rip finds on returning to his village suggest Irving’s own ambivalence about the direction the United States was taking. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Rise and Fall Season 2 was announced in March after the first run became a huge hit for Amazon’s MX Player, which has since been subsumed into Prime Video. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin subsumere, from Latin sub- + sumere to take up — more at consume

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

subsume

verb

sub·​sume səb-ˈsüm 

subsumed; subsuming

: to include or place within something larger or more general

red and green are subsumed under the term "color"