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
: 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
Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Impairment and speed are contributing factors to the crash, according to the the department's traffic unit.
—Staff Report, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
The National Housing Trust also announced plans to deploy 2,500 semi-permanent housing units and offer relief loans and grants to those affected by the hurricane.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
The United Cajun Navy said the group deployed boats, sonar teams, air support and K9 units amid harsh weather during the holiday search mission.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unit
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Noun
That adjustment includes the power play, where the Leafs continue to struggle to find a suitable stand-in for Marner as quarterback of a five-forward first unit.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Impairment and speed are contributing factors to the crash, according to the the department's traffic unit.
—Staff Report, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
The National Housing Trust also announced plans to deploy 2,500 semi-permanent housing units and offer relief loans and grants to those affected by the hurricane.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
The United Cajun Navy said the group deployed boats, sonar teams, air support and K9 units amid harsh weather during the holiday search mission.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 Dec. 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 3 Dec. 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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