unit

noun

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\ ˈyü-nət

Definition of unit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

3a : 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

unit

adjective

Definition of unit (Entry 2 of 2)

: being, relating to, or measuring one unit

Example Sentences Phrases Containing unit Learn More About 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 Two units sustained extensive fire damage, and two cats were found dead in a first-floor unit, the release states. — Rosana Hughes, ajc, 8 May 2022 The batteries used in the launch unit only last four hours, then have to be discarded. — Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 7 May 2022 The email from scientist Jinsheng Lin, who worked in a special quality unit at Huahai, was written as the company was trying to alter its approach to production of another heart drug called irbesartan, a chemical cousin of valsartan. — Anna Edney, Fortune, 7 May 2022 To top the battery up, simply pop the receiver back in the transmitter unit’s cradle and it will be fully charged in around three hours. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 6 May 2022 The real question of moving Tyler up is who would be the shot creator in the second unit. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2022 The only other animal in the unit is the communal teddy bear, Svetlana. — AZCentral.com, 5 May 2022 My unit's black finish has a polished but not overly glossy look, and the uncomplicated design doesn't look out of place in either casual or formal settings. — Corey Gaskin, Ars Technica, 30 Apr. 2022 Kansas State went to the transfer portal to fill several holes on defense that will try to maintain the unit's high standard. — Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2022 See More

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

Learn More About unit

Dictionary Entries Near unit

unissued stock

unit

unitable

Statistics for unit

Last Updated

12 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unit. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for unit

unit

noun

\ ˈyü-nət

Kids Definition of unit

1 : a single thing, person, or group forming part of a whole There are 36 units in my apartment building.

2 : the least whole number : one

3 : a fixed quantity (as of length, time, or value) used as a standard of measurement An inch is a unit of length.

4 : a part of a school course with a central theme

unit

noun

\ ˈyü-nət

Medical Definition of unit

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