subtype

noun

sub·​type ˈsəb-ˌtīp How to pronounce subtype (audio)
variants or less commonly sub-type
plural subtypes also sub-types
: a type that is a subdivision of a broader type
… the … vaccine has a new, additional molecular component that its developers believe will contribute to a broader range of protection against subtypes of HIV found in North America, Europe, Australia, Central America, and South America.—The Journal of the American Medical Association
… the neurotransmitter serotonin has at least 14 different known subtypes of receptors.—Steven F. Hyman
Among subtypes of juggling found in circus shows are juggling on horseback and strong-man juggling with iron balls.—Mark Levine

Examples of subtype in a Sentence

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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.
There are several different subtypes of New York City Restaurant, from the humble old-timers (Katz’s, Nom Wah) to the temples of filthy lucre (Bemelmans, Rao’s). — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Right now, in the areas of the country with the highest positivity rates, H1N1, a subtype of influenza A, is dominant. — Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026 Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, which is the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for roughly 40% of all lung cancer cases, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 The non-small cell kind makes up the vast majority of the world’s cases and adenocarcinoma is its most common subtype. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subtype

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subtype was in 1816

Rhymes for subtype

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Browse Nearby Words

subtweet
subtype
subtypical
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Cite this Entry

“Subtype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtype. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

subtype

1 of 2 noun
sub·​type ˈsəb-ˌtīp How to pronounce subtype (audio)
: a type that is subordinate to or included in another type
the blood group subtypes
subtypes of a disease

subtype

2 of 2 transitive verb
subtyped; subtyping
: to classify according to subtype
schizophrenic patients subtyped as paranoid or catatonic
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