1
a
: the first and least natural number : one
b
: a single quantity regarded as a whole in calculation
2
: a determinate quantity (as of length, time, heat, or value) adopted as a standard of measurement: such as
a
: an amount of work used in education in calculating student credits
b
: an amount of a biologically active agent (such as a drug or antigen) required to produce a specific result see also international unit
3
a
: a single thing, person, or group that is a constituent of a whole
b
: a part of a military establishment that has a prescribed organization (as of personnel and matériel)
c
: a piece or complex of apparatus serving to perform one particular function
d
: a part of a school course focusing on a central theme
e
: a local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
f
: a small molecule especially when combined in a larger molecule
repeating units of a polymer
g
: an area in a medical facility and especially a hospital that is specially staffed and equipped to provide a particular type of care
an intensive care unit
: being, relating to, or measuring one unit
Examples of unit in a Sentence
Noun
The family is the basic unit of society.
The search party broke up into smaller units.
Their army unit guarded the border.
Feet and meters are units of length.
The dollar is the principal unit of American currency.
Recent Examples on the Web
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Vehicles could share targeting and surveillance data across units, giving Chinese armored formations a collective view of the battlefield.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Silvergate’s current design includes 162 total units across the 30-acre site.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Swastikas were dropped from Finnish aircraft in the wake of World War II, but did still appear on some unit flags, other emblems and uniforms, a Finnish air force spokesperson told the BBC in 2020.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unit
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
But as the Chiefs confront the Chargers and a defense that in 2024 led the NFL in fewest points allowed — a unit spearheaded by potent edge rushers Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipuotu — all eyes will be on the rookie left tackle who has done nothing but impress thus far.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Vehicles could share targeting and surveillance data across units, giving Chinese armored formations a collective view of the battlefield.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Silvergate’s current design includes 162 total units across the 30-acre site.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Swastikas were dropped from Finnish aircraft in the wake of World War II, but did still appear on some unit flags, other emblems and uniforms, a Finnish air force spokesperson told the BBC in 2020.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unit
Cite this Entry
“Unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unit. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unit
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the first and smallest natural number : one
b
: a single quantity regarded as a whole in calculation
2
: a definite quantity (as of length, time, or value) used as a standard of measurement
the dollar is the unit of U.S. money
3
a
: a single thing or person or group that is a part of a whole
b
: a part or arrangement of parts performing one function
a train drawn by two diesel units
c
: a part of a school course with a central theme
unit
2 of 2 adjective
: being, relating to, or measuring one unit of
unit length
unit angle
Medical Definition
unit
noun1
: an amount of a biologically active agent (as a drug or antigen) required to produce a specific result under strictly controlled conditions
a unit of penicillin
see international unit
2
: a small molecule especially when combined in a larger molecule
repeating units of a polymer
3
: an area in a medical facility and especially a hospital that is specially staffed and equipped to provide a particular type of care
an intensive care unit
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