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

There is a subset of incoming college first year students, men and women, who find these organizations really appealing, and some of it is entirely understandable. — Richard Hall, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Looking through small microscopes implanted in the mice’s heads, Patel’s team zoomed in on a particular subset of brain cells, called somatostatin neurons, as the animals reacted to the fox urine scent. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026

With the exception of a subset of patients who present a specific genetic mutation and can be treated with gene therapy, there is no cure for the condition. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026

Shapiro’s political identity is built on the refusal to condemn a whole sector when the problem is a subset of it. — Salena Zito, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• 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