subgroup

American  

[suhb-groop] / ˈsʌbˌgrup /

noun

1. a subordinate group; a division of a group.

2. Chemistry. a division of a group in the periodic table.

3. Mathematics. a subset of a group that is closed under the group operation and in which every element has an inverse in the subset.

---

subgroup British  

/ ˈsʌbˌɡruːp /

noun

1. a distinct and often subordinate division of a group

2. a mathematical group whose members are members of another group, both groups being subject to the same rule of combination

---

Etymology

Origin of subgroup

First recorded in 1835–45; sub- + group

Example Sentences

The research paid special attention to people with high blood pressure and also examined a subgroup of adults considered safe candidates for salt substitutes.

From Science Daily

The results are estimated to have a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points in either direction in the overall sample, and larger numbers for subgroups.

From Los Angeles Times

The staples sector consists of several disparate subgroups, and they need to be analyzed separately.

From Barron's

The results are estimated to have a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points in either direction in the overall sample, and larger numbers for subgroups.

From Los Angeles Times

All student subgroups— including children of immigrants, racial minorities and those with parents without higher education — increased their passing rate in the last five years.

From Los Angeles Times