subsume

verb

sub·​sume səb-ˈsüm 

subsumed; subsuming

transitive verb

: to include or place within something larger or more comprehensive : encompass as a subordinate or component element

red, green, and yellow are subsumed under the term "color"

subsumable

səb-ˈsü-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• carry
• comprehend
• contain
• embrace
• encompass
• entail
• include
• involve
• number
• take in

Examples of subsume in a Sentence

games and team sports are subsumed under the classification of “recreation”

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the researchers, both of these oddities could be explained, however, if the Milky Way once had a second, intermediate-sized, black hole at its heart—one that has long since been subsumed into Sgr A*. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

However, the assumption that a woman’s identity should be subsumed into that of either her father or male partner has always struck me as weird. —Nell Frizzell, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025

And across the board, news executives are scrambling to figure out how news fits into the streaming future that is taking shape across the rest of media, subsuming entertainment and now sports. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025

Since then Fitbit has gradually been subsumed into the Google empire. —Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin subsumere, from Latin sub- + sumere to take up — more at consume

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

subsume

verb

sub·​sume səb-ˈsüm 

subsumed; subsuming

: to include or place within something larger or more general

red and green are subsumed under the term "color"