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.
To do this, the researchers equated the gaps in the Tetris game with the subsets of the problem and the falling bricks with the numbers that have to be split up. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 28 July 2025 As one of the city’s only dedicated hangouts appealing to the subset of LGBTQ people who identify as bears — or larger, hirsute and more overtly masculine gay and bisexual men — the loss of Denver Sweet will further shave down the city’s LGBTQ cultural options. John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 July 2025 But after a few months of going to the same daycare, and after a few birthday parties, my wife and I found out pretty quickly what's the overlap between the subset of parents who seem kindred to us, and the subset of kids your kid wants to have a playdate with. Devonne Goode, Parents, 17 July 2025 On March 7, 2025, Ford approved another remedy to address a subset of vehicles that did not properly receive the software portion of the update. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 16 July 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 2 Aug. 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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