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

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

Cost-of-living increases are based on a subset of the consumer price index External link data known as CPI-W.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“These OIG reports are based on a very small subset of specifically selected nursing homes and are not indicative of national trends,”  Holly Harmon, a vice president of the trade association AHCA/NCAL, tells MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Once you do that, the server list updates to the subset of NordWhisper servers, so you can just connect like normal to use an obfuscated server.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

It’s possible a subset of people will regain all the weight they lost after a certain amount of time, some doctors say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

He refers to that subset a second time, and so it’s time to switch back to the definite: Most of these herons.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• subdivision