unit

noun

\ 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 — compare 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 materiel)

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

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

And all units of the NAACP must abide by those policies or else—or their leaders or the entire chapter may be disciplined, including suspension, reorganization or... — WSJ, "Charter-School Move No Revolt for NAACP," 14 May 2019 Most shower de-chlorination units don’t require a plumber to install. — Steven Macari, Harper's BAZAAR, "Could a Shower Filter Be the Missing Component to Your Wellness Routine?," 1 May 2019 With the task of merging two units into one, finding an architectural rhythm was the first priority. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Inside an Unconventionally Glam Family Home in Chicago’s Historic Palmolive Building," 30 Apr. 2019 Only 300 units of the 30 Jahre were built, with just 30 coming to the United States. — Daniel Golson, Car and Driver, "The 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years Has Insane Gold Interior Trim," 16 May 2019 Many of the early review units sent out have exhibited issues that rendered the device compromised or inoperable after just a day or two of use. — Michael Simon, PCWorld, "Samsung pushes back Galaxy Fold release to 'run further internal tests' following poor reviews," 22 Apr. 2019 At some date in early May, the gallery’s nine employees will get their last checks, and Boone will report to one of the satellite units of the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury. — Town & Country, "Mary Boone Is Taking a Break," 18 Apr. 2019 The kit consists of two units that swing out from your pantry, effectively tripling your pantry space. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Your Kitchen Will Feel So Much Bigger With A Revolving Pantry Shelf System," 25 Oct. 2018 Another 124 units of housing will be added to the campus in 2020, during Phase II of the project. — Samantha Brooks, Vogue, "Everyone From Mayor Eric Garcetti to Shangela Came Out to the Opening of the Los Angeles LGBT Center in Hollywood," 10 Apr. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

26 May 2019

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The first known use of unit was in 1570

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More Definitions for unit

unit

noun

English Language Learners Definition of unit

: a single thing, person, or group that is a part of something larger

: a part of a hospital where a particular type of care is provided

: a particular amount of length, time, money, etc., that is used as a standard for counting or measuring

See the full definition for unit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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