subset

American  

[suhb-set] / ˈsʌbˌsɛt /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of subset

First recorded in 1900–05; sub- + set

Example Sentences

The additional traffic from Lantern or other tools becomes a subset of a much larger whole.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Overall bank lending to nonbank financial institutions, of which private-credit loans are a subset, has grown to $1.9 trillion from $1.1 trillion three years ago, according to estimates by Truist Securities analysts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

But 12% took four or more hardship withdrawals, which pointed to a more chronic financial problem for that subset of workers.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

The LA28 executive committee — a subset of its broader 35-member board — said it took “allegations of misconduct seriously” and attorneys had looked at the accusations.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

At this point he wants to refer to a subset of those herons, so he introduces just these ones with the indefinite article: A few come to Cape Cod.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• subdivision