English · Word Candidate

subset

/ˈsʌbˌsɛt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: subsets · subsetting · subsetted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A set A such that every element of A is also an element of S.

Noun

The set of integers is a subset of the set of real numbers.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A group of things or people, all of which are in a specified larger group.

Noun

We asked a subset of the population of the town for their opinion.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To take a subset of.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To extract only the portions of (a font) that are needed to display a particular document.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “subset” mean?

A set A such that every element of A is also an element of S.

Is “subset” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.