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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of subgroup

First recorded in 1835–45; sub- + group

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subgroup

Goldman, however, is not on the list of primary dealers, or a subgroup of dealers that are allowed to bid on up to 25% of auctioned amounts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026

"There was recognition that there is a very small subgroup of children whose gender incongruence persists long-term and who may require ongoing support and possible medical interventions," the review said.

From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2026

The second subgroup, CD16+CD56high cells, is less common and contributes to the release of proteins that act as chemical messengers and support immunoregulation.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025

“If I were to pick one subgroup where you would want to have an advantage, it would be that one,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2025

But all those English dialects form only one low-order subgroup of the Germanic language family.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond