subset

American  

[suhb-set] / ˈsʌbˌsɛt /

noun

• subsets
  plural

1. a set that is a part of a larger set.

2. Mathematics. a set consisting of elements of a given set that can be the same as the given set or smaller.

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subset British  

/ ˈsʌbˌsɛt /

noun

1. maths

   1. a set the members of which are all members of some given class: A is a subset of B is usually written A⊆B

   2.  A⊂B.  one that is strictly contained within a larger class and excludes some of its members

2. a set within a larger set

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subset Scientific  

/ sŭb′sĕt′ /

1. A set whose members are all contained in another set. The set of positive integers, for example, is a subset of the set of integers.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• subsets
  plural

Etymology

Origin of subset

First recorded in 1900–05; sub- + set

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subset subsets

However, Vermeij accepts there is a "very small subset" of hardcore fans desperate for any new information they can get their hands on.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Others — maybe even a subset of the same people — jumped to alarmism and misinformation.

From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026

So while mFlusiva has the FDA’s blessing, Kennedy’s handpicked panel could still recommend that only a subset of Americans—say, people with compromised immune systems—get it.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

Raising the cap is subject to approval by at least a subset of the Federal Open Market Committee, the 12-person body that sets interest rates and oversees monetary policy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Unless you get the complete list of predictions or a randomly selected subset, the correct predictions mean nothing.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Economists also look at different subsets of the CPI for a more nuanced picture of inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 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

There are at least 14 known subsets, or “cliques,” with names such as Ballista Street, Blackwood Street, Northam Street and Dial Avenue, taken from areas where leaders live.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2025

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

Related Words

• subdivision