noun
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maths
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a set the members of which are all members of some given class: A is a subset of B is usually written A⊆B
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A⊂B. one that is strictly contained within a larger class and excludes some of its members
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a set within a larger set
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of subset
Explanation
Use the noun subset when you're talking about a group of things that fit in a larger category. For example, "new horror films" or "new comedies" are subsets of "new movies." You can use the word subset any time you refer to small sets within larger ones, whether you're talking about Halloween candy, greeting cards, or classmates. However, the most common use of subset happens in mathematics, which is where the word comes from originally. Subset is short for "subordinate set," or a set that is entirely contained inside another set — it's subordinate, less important or smaller.
Vocabulary lists containing subset
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But for a certain subset, that is just the start.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
The market timers’ unseemly rush for the exits is illustrated in the accompanying chart of the average recommended equity exposure among a subset of short-term market timers who focus on the Nasdaq stock market.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
The government, they wrote, “appears to be asking this Court to consider and approve a hypothetical delegation to Essayli of some subset of the U.S. Attorney powers.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
Owners who participate provide extensive information about their dogs' lives, while a subset also submit biological samples each year.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026
It makes me understand that this new robot is a subset of robot called a drone.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
Bhasin says certain at-risk subsets of the population should be screened, such as people with chronic kidney disease on dialysis, men who have been treated with chemotherapy, or have chronic liver disease.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
That freedom has allowed me to kind of come in and out of different subsets within architecture, and really handle my curiosity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2026
He recognizes that terms like cure and functional cure could be applied in a carefully defined way in certain subsets of patients and be beneficial, but he’s just not ready to declare victory.
From Slate ● Mar. 29, 2026
There are a few more hoops to jump through when using NordVPN because they have subsets of servers dedicated to P2P and obfuscation.
From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2026
We decided to focus on two subsets of kids to help the Court grant relief if it wasn't ready to ban all life sentences without parole for juveniles.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
