unit

noun \ ˈyü-nət \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of unit

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: 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

3 a : 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

See unit defined for English-language learners

See unit defined for kids

Examples of unit in a Sentence

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 of unit from the Web

The boy and his mother went to police in September to report the relationship, and detectives in the department's internal affairs unit launched an investigation.

— cory shaffer, cleveland.com, "Cleveland police officer admits to having sex with teen student, will hand over badge," 12 Apr. 2018
The Chargers' run defense was the weakest part of an overall-sound unit.

— dan woike, latimes.com, "As Chargers prepare for NFL draft, linebackers will be one of their top priorities," 12 Apr. 2018
Most recently, Anderson has served as a commander in the patrol division and the investigation division’s youth and community services unit.

— rafael guerrero, Naperville Sun, "Naperville police appoint Cmdr. Kathleen Anderson as deputy chief," 12 Apr. 2018
Now back as the group’s elder statesman, the senior will be looked upon to spearhead this unit’s revival in 2018.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas seeks consistent offensive line play," 12 Apr. 2018
Three Air Care units responded when the accident was reported just before 5 a.m. The medical helicopters landed on the highway and have since lifted off for a hospital with at least three injured people, dispatchers said.

— jennifer baker, Cincinnati.com, "3 medical helicopters sent to I-75 crash in NKY," 12 Apr. 2018
Firefighters with the Wauconda Fire District responded at 10 a.m. Wednesday to a fire at a four-unit residential building in the 500 block of Woodview Road in Lake Barrington.

— todd shields, chicagotribune.com, "Construction workers rescue man from burning residence in Lake Barrington," 12 Apr. 2018
Several officers congregated around the bus, as more NOPD units pulled up to the intersection.

— laura mcknight, NOLA.com, "Student injured while exiting school bus in the Bywater: officials," 12 Apr. 2018
The center, previously known as the Mary Shepherd Home, will be converted into 26 one-bedroom apartments and six studio units.

— shawn r. beals, Courant Community, "Work Begins On Apartments For Homeless Veterans In Middletown," 12 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of unit

back-formation from unity

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1570

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

unit

adjective

Definition of unit

: being, relating to, or measuring one unit

First Known Use of unit

1633

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

UNIT Defined for English Language Learners

unit

noun

Definition of unit for English Language Learners

: 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