subset

[ suhb-set ]

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.

subset

/ 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. proper subset one that is strictly contained within a larger class and excludes some of its members A⊂B
2. a set within a larger set

subset

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of subset¹

First recorded in 1900–05; sub- + set

Example Sentences

It can let us see that a rose, for example, excites receptors number 27, 72, and 112, while dog poop excites a different subset of receptors.

From Nautilus

Gray, the former Sanders press secretary, wishes all progressives would wise up and call themselves leftists, but she understands these semantic discussions are taking place among a tiny subset of highly engaged citizens.

From Washington Post

According to Malwarebytes, the attacker had used "another intrusion vector" to gain access to a limited subset of company emails.

From Ars Technica

He knew, however, that we consciously perceive only a subset of the total information our minds absorb from the world.

From Washington Post

The list is a subset of the Terrorist Screening Database, designed to “identify individuals who are known or suspected terrorists,” the TSA said in a statement.

From Washington Post

And in September 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ordered the release of a 21-photo subset.

From The Daily Beast

And every single time Sarkeezian has released a video, this same pathetic subset of the culture has called for her head.

From The Daily Beast

Finding even a small subset of these individuals means screening a lot of individuals.

From The Daily Beast

There probably is a small subset of children whose autism would improve—slightly—with changes in diet.

From The Daily Beast

They acted as if music were a subset of the fashion or cinema or advertising industries.

From The Daily Beast

The compiler will be delivered with a fully defined subset of formula translation operators.

From Project Gutenberg

A subset of the Sun Tzu example is the view that war is deception.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• subdivision
• subgroup
• subspace