subsystem

noun

sub·​sys·​tem ˈsəb-ˌsi-stəm How to pronounce subsystem (audio)
variants or less commonly sub-system
plural subsystems also sub-systems
: a system that is part of a larger system
These subsystems of the climate system include the atmosphere, the oceans (both upper and deep oceans), the sea ice, the ice sheets, the land surface, and the biota.Stephen H. Schneider
Voyager 2 was the troublesome twin. Even before launch, failures in its onboard computer subsystems had to be rectified. The problems continued after liftoff as the attitude-control subsystem behaved in an unexpected fashion.William I. McLaughlin

Examples of subsystem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Samsung used this to achieve a 4x improvement in productivity for one project and an 11% improvement to PPA in AI subsystems. Anshel Sag, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 With much of Mk1’s subsystems common to Mk2, Limp professed confidence in Blue Origin’s ability to have that spacecraft ready for the fifth Artemis launch, currently set for 2030. Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 12 Feb. 2025 In addition, thumbs up were given to the propulsion, fuel systems, hydraulics, power, thermal control, and other subsystems. David Szondy may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025 Using simulation, engineers explore options for propulsion, materials, architecture and how different subsystems interact. Ajay Parihar, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for subsystem

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsystem was in 1756

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Cite this Entry

“Subsystem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsystem. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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