international unit

noun

: a quantity of a biologically active substance (such as a vitamin) that produces a particular biological effect agreed upon as an international standard

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Vision Distribution’s international unit, headed by veteran sales agent Catia Rossi, is launching sales on the film at Berlin’s upcoming European Film Market. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Feb. 2023 If Republicans push the U.S. into default, the dollar would likely lose its position as the international unit of account, forcing the government and companies to pay their international bills in another currency. Michael Humphries, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2023 If Republicans push the U.S. into default, the dollar would likely lose its position as the international unit of account, forcing the government and companies to pay their international bills in another currency. Michael Humphries, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2023 The company’s massive financial problems began spilling into the open early this month, and FTX was quick to halt withdrawals from its international unit. Caitlin Mccabe, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2022 The money-laundering section’s international unit has worked closely with the task force, officials say. Dylan Tokar, WSJ, 11 Oct. 2022 But David Shear, president of the international unit at Restaurant Brands International (QSR), gave some insight into Burger King's agreement in his open letter. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022 Lufthansa earlier this year abandoned an auction process for the international unit. William Wilkes, Bloomberg.com, 3 June 2020 In the study of respiratory illness and vitamin D, the dose was equivalent to about 3,330 international units daily. Tara Parker-pope, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'international unit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of international unit was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near international unit

Cite this Entry

“International unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/international%20unit. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

international unit

noun
: the amount of specific physiological activity of a standardized preparation (as of a vitamin) that is agreed upon as an international standard especially for comparison with other biologicals containing the substance in impure form or with a related biologically active substance
also : the amount of the biologically active substance in the standard amount of the preparation producing this activity

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