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

A small subset likely will leave the country, but many will remain without status.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

In a study of this phenomenon, people who picked a chocolate from 30 options enjoyed it less than those who chose from a subset of just six.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

Within this was an intensive-management program for a subset of high-risk patients, including those with Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes or hemoglobin A1C levels — an indicator of blood sugar — at 9.0% or more.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026

But just because a certain subset of stocks looks overextended, it doesn’t mean the rally is nearing its end.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Perhaps I am a subset of robot, but I have not encountered enough robots to know for sure.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

Related Words

• subdivision