subset

noun

sub·​set ˈsəb-ˌset 

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

Police witnesses testified the casings had no fingerprints on them but were consistent with having been fired from an after-market slide known to be used with a subset of guns that includes the Glock 43. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025

Duhaime set out to troll that subset of fans who live in Philadelphia. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025

For many years, researchers believed that a small subset of dormant bacteria are the main problem in fighting infections. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025

Despite the uproar, Oliver sees the recent changes as primarily addressing technical issues for a small subset of applicants already in the US. —Lauren Carpenter, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subset

noun

sub·​set ˈsəb-ˌset 

: 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