subtype

noun

sub·​type ˈsəb-ˌtīp How to pronounce subtype (audio)
variants or less commonly sub-type
plural subtypes also sub-types
: a type that is a subdivision of a broader type
… the … vaccine has a new, additional molecular component that its developers believe will contribute to a broader range of protection against subtypes of HIV found in North America, Europe, Australia, Central America, and South America.The Journal of the American Medical Association
… the neurotransmitter serotonin has at least 14 different known subtypes of receptors.Steven F. Hyman
Among subtypes of juggling found in circus shows are juggling on horseback and strong-man juggling with iron balls.Mark Levine

Examples of subtype in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sub-Types of Parenting Styles Of course, there are plenty of parenting style subtypes. Lauren Pardee, Parents, 17 Aug. 2023 And different subtypes of flavonoids are found in different foods, with each group containing their own nutritional benefits. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 25 May 2023 Your doctor can explain your type or subtype of lung cancer. Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2023 Then, in 1990, a curious phenomenon emerged: Researchers observed an astrocyte, a subtype of glial cell, responding to glutamate, the main neurotransmitter that generates electrical activity. Laura Dattaro, Quanta Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 One team in the Netherlands has proposed that autism and ADHD are different manifestations of a single condition with a range of subtypes, each having a distinct time of onset, mix of traits and progression. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2023 The semantic subtype primarily leads to a loss of word comprehension. Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2023 These studies could point to specific subtypes of long Covid or different biological indicators at different points in the condition. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2023 These variants come in three main subtypes: semantic, nonfluent and logopenic. Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subtype.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subtype was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near subtype

Cite this Entry

“Subtype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtype. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

subtype

1 of 2 noun
sub·​type ˈsəb-ˌtīp How to pronounce subtype (audio)
: a type that is subordinate to or included in another type
the blood group subtypes
subtypes of a disease

subtype

2 of 2 transitive verb
subtyped; subtyping
: to classify according to subtype
schizophrenic patients subtyped as paranoid or catatonic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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