subtype

noun

sub·​type ˈsəb-ˌtīp 

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

The two subtypes are perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, known as PFOS. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 May 2025

In pigs, three main subtypes circulate: H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Of all the flu tests reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the start of flu season last fall, about 97% have turned up positive for influenza A. Influenza A is further divided into subtypes. —Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 7 Feb. 2025

There was one surprise: women aged 40 to 49 had a higher survival rate then the women in the 20 to 39 age group for the subtype (luminal A) with the highest overall decline in mortality rate. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subtype

• bagpipe
• blowpipe
• standpipe
• stovepipe
• tailpipe
• unripe
• windpipe
• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype

Medical Definition

subtype

1 of 2 noun

sub·​type ˈsəb-ˌtīp 

: 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