subtyping

noun
UK /ˈsʌbtaɪpɪŋ/
US /ˈsʌbtaɪpɪŋ/

Subtyping is when you put things into smaller groups inside a bigger group.

In the animal kingdom, subtyping helps us sort birds into smaller groups like songbirds and waterbirds.

SYNONYMS

subclassificationcategorizationsubdivisionclassificationgrouping

RELATED WORDS

subtypetypecategoryhierarchyinheritance

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In computer science, subtyping is when one type of data can be used in place of another related type.

The programming language supports subtyping, so a dog object can be used wherever an animal object is expected.

3. In biology, subtyping is the process of identifying a more specific kind within a species or group.

Doctors used subtyping to tell which strain of the virus the patient had.

4. In linguistics, subtyping is dividing a broad category of words or sounds into narrower types.

The researcher's subtyping of verbs helped explain how children learn language.