variants
or less commonly sub-type
plural subtypes also sub-types
: a type that is a subdivision of a broader type
… the … vaccine has a new, additional molecular component that its developers believe will contribute to a broader range of protection against subtypes of HIV found in North America, Europe, Australia, Central America, and South America.—
The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association… the neurotransmitter serotonin has at least 14 different known subtypes of receptors.—Steven F. Hyman
Steven F. HymanAmong subtypes of juggling found in circus shows are juggling on horseback and strong-man juggling with iron balls.—Mark Levine
Mark LevineExamples of subtype in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The infrastructure built after 2014 — the RESPTC network, NETEC, the Health Alert Network, CDC’s laboratory capacity for rare filovirus subtypes like the Bundibugyo Ebola strain — exists precisely for this moment.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Roller coasters are defined as a ride with an elevated railway with sharp curves and steep inclines, but even roller coasters have tons of different subtypes based on what the tracks and support structures are made of (namely wooden or steel), how the riders are positioned, and the ride’s speed.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
It’s not known which subtype of the Andes virus is fueling the cruise ship outbreak, a key piece of information Marty said could be useful to determine treatment and public health measures.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Hantaviruses may also spread from person to person, but that also is rare and only suspected for one subtype from South America, the Andes strain, according to the WHO.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtype
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Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
Roller coasters are defined as a ride with an elevated railway with sharp curves and steep inclines, but even roller coasters have tons of different subtypes based on what the tracks and support structures are made of (namely wooden or steel), how the riders are positioned, and the ride’s speed.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
It’s not known which subtype of the Andes virus is fueling the cruise ship outbreak, a key piece of information Marty said could be useful to determine treatment and public health measures.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Hantaviruses may also spread from person to person, but that also is rare and only suspected for one subtype from South America, the Andes strain, according to the WHO.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtype
Cite this Entry
“Subtype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtype. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
subtype
1 of 2 noun
sub·type
ˈsəb-ˌtīp 
: a type that is subordinate to or included in another type
the blood group subtypes
subtypes of a disease
subtype
2 of 2 transitive verb
subtyped; subtyping
: to classify according to subtype
schizophrenic patients subtyped as paranoid or catatonic
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