1. a taxonomic category that ranks below a family and above a genus in biological classification
Usage: biology; taxonomy
2. a subdivision or smaller group within a larger family or category

Examples

• The rose subfamily includes many popular garden flowers.
• Cats belong to the subfamily Felinae within the family Felidae.
• This butterfly species is part of a large subfamily found throughout Asia.
• The researcher studied the evolutionary relationships within the subfamily.
• Each subfamily contains several related genera of plants.
• The museum display organized insects by family and subfamily.
• Scientists identified a new subfamily of beetles in the rainforest.