Subordinate means someone or something that is lower in rank, importance, power, or authority. It can refer to a person who is under the command or control of another person, such as an employee working for a boss, or a soldier following orders from an officer. In a hierarchy, subordinates are those individuals who report to higher-ups and carry out their directives.
In addition, "subordinate" can also refer to something that is secondary or less important in comparison to another thing. For example, the needs of one person may be considered subordinate to the needs of others if they have greater priority. In this sense, being a subordinate means putting someone else's needs before your own.
Overall, "subordinate" describes something or someone that is lower in status and deferential to another.