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.
On Thursday, the oil producers’ alliance agreed to extend several output cuts, with the timeline to start gradually unwinding a 2.2-million-barrels-per-day voluntary decline undertaken by a subset of OPEC+ members pushed back by three months to April. Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024 Additionally, the exit tax targets only a specific subset of individuals raising issues of fairness. Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 But the negative effect of the food additives that Kennedy seems most worried about is felt by only a small subset of eaters. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2024 An investigation by House Oversight and Accountability Committee Democrats found Trump properties took in some $7.8 million from foreign entities in 20 countries — a figure reached after reviewing only a subset of documents collected from Trump’s accounting firm. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near subset

Cite this Entry

“Subset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subset. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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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