English Reference

Word

subtype

Phoneticssub·type

US/ˈsəbˌtaɪp/

UK/sˈʌbtaɪp/

Definition

n. a smaller, more specific group within a larger category. In programming, it is a type that is based on another type but has more specific rules.

n. a distinct category or variety within a larger class or group. In object-oriented programming, it refers to a type that is a specific version of a more general type, often inheriting its properties and methods.

Examples

“The software uses a specific subtype of the main data type.”

“In the database, the 'vehicle' table has several subtypes, including car, truck, and motorcycle.”

“The language allows for a subtype to override the behavior of its parent type, providing a more specialized implementation while maintaining the core interface expected by the rest of the system.”

Examples

simple

“The software uses a specific subtype of the main data type.”

contextual

“In the database, the 'vehicle' table has several subtypes, including car, truck, and motorcycle.”

complex

“The language allows for a subtype to override the behavior of its parent type, providing a more specialized implementation while maintaining the core interface expected by the rest of the system.”

Real-World Examples

“The experiments focused on one mGluR subtype, mGluR8, which is known to be involved in the brain's normal regulation of anxiety, though the researchers consider its structure also broadly representative of the mGluR family.”
Phys.org · 14 Sept 2026
“One particularly concerning finding involved triple-negative breast cancer, which is considered the most aggressive subtype.”
ScienceDaily · 19 Aug 2026

Domain

Programming

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/subtype

English Reference