subset

noun

sub·​set ˈsəb-ˌset How to pronounce subset (audio)
1
: a set each of whose elements is an element of an inclusive set
2
: division, portion
a subset of our community

Examples of subset in a Sentence

The set {1,2,3} is a subset of the set {1,2,3,4,5}. Only a small subset of the patients in the study experienced these side effects.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And according to Luria, Amazon’s customer base is more diversified than most of its competitors, which could help the company if the tariffs acutely affect a particular subset of customers. Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Walking Towards Heart Health The research team from the Netherlands spent 11 years monitoring the Dutch population, analyzing a subset of data from Statistics Netherlands. Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025 The findings suggest that the shingles virus might play a role in causing at least a subset of dementia cases, Geldsetzer says, and the vaccine may protect against that. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2025 That just leaves a subset of this industry, the hospitals, trying to eke that out. Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subset

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subset was in 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Subset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subset. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

subset

noun
sub·​set ˈsəb-ˌset How to pronounce subset (audio)
: a mathematical set that is a part of another mathematical set
the set of even numbers is a subset of the set of all numbers

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