unit

1 of 2

noun

ˈyü-nət 

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

Feet and meters are both units of length.

: 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

The family is the basic units of society.

The search party broke up into smaller units.

b

: a part of a military establishment that has a prescribed organization (as of personnel and matériel)

c(1)

: a piece or complex of apparatus serving to perform one particular function

an air conditioning unit

(2)

: a set of similar pieces of furniture that are grouped or attached together

a built-in storage/wall unit

(3)

: an individual item of the products that a company makes or sells

d

: a part of a school course focusing on a central theme

finished the unit on the American Revolution

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

h

: one of a number of apartment or residences in a building or complex

unit

2 of 2

adjective

: 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

Noun

To be clear, all three units played a part in that. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025

Focus on ways to contribute, whether special teams or getting reps not only on live action units but on the look team. —Barry Jackson updated December 7, Miami Herald, 8 Dec. 2025

Among his five seasons as offensive line coach with Iowa State, Myers’ unit peaked in 2020 as the Cyclones averaged 195 rushing yards — the 40th most in the country. —Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 8 Dec. 2025

Such a deal would combine the fifth and 10th largest container shipping firms worldwide by market share of 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), according to industry research database Alphaliner. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

back-formation from unity

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1633, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unit

• absolute unit
• astronomical unit
• atomic mass unit
• base unit
• British thermal unit
• canine unit
• central processing unit
• critical care unit
• electromagnetic unit
• imaginary unit
• intensive care unit
• international bitterness unit
• international unit
• inter-unit
• kitchen unit
• living unit
• monetary unit
• motor unit
• sub-unit
• unit cell
• unit character
• unit circle
• unit membrane
• unit rule
• unit train
• unit trust
• waste disposal unit

Rhymes for unit

• lunate
• multiunit
• subunit

Kids Definition

unit

1 of 2 noun

ˈyü-nət 

1

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

noun

ˈyü-nət 

1

: 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