unite

verb \ yu̇-ˈnīt \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of unite

united; uniting

transitive verb

1 a : to put together to form a single unit

b : to cause to adhere

c : to link by a legal or moral bond

2 : to possess (different things, such as qualities) in combination

intransitive verb

1 a : to become one or as if one

b : to become combined by or as if by adhesion or mixture

2 : to act in concert

—

uniter

noun

See unite defined for English-language learners

See unite defined for kids

Examples of unite in a Sentence

Party members united in support of their candidate.
Students united to protest the tuition increase.
uniting against a common enemy
The struggle to end slavery united rich and poor.
A treaty united the independent nations.
The sperm and egg unite to form an embryo.

Recent Examples of unite from the Web

Still, the circus is a world onto itself, whose free-wheeling denizens are united by their oddities and differences.

— deborah young, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Great Mystical Circus' ('O Grande Circo Mistico'): Film Review | Cannes 2018," 13 May 2018
Japan and South Korea, another close American ally, are similarly united by fears of a trade war, but relations are currently driven by diplomacy over the Korean peninsula.

— The Economist, "Japan, China and South Korea get together," 10 May 2018
And the bodies playing it are united in this beauty, even as time, space, gender, and color differentiate them.

— k. austin collins, HWD, "20 Years After Its Release, Spike Lee’s Basketball Epic He Got Game Remains Searing and Essential," 2 May 2018
This year, Banks and Olivares are united on the same team at high Single-A Lake Elsinore.

— jeff sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Edward Olivares continuing to stand out with Storm," 28 Apr. 2018
That sprawling, diffuse community isn't united by much, but in every corner its members have adopted the idea as their own.

— emma grey ellis, WIRED, "How Red-Pill Culture Jumped the Fence and Got to Kanye West," 27 Apr. 2018
On Wednesday, Senate President Steve Yarbough said in a statement that Senate Republicans were united behind the plan.

— azcentral, "LIVE updates: Thousands of teachers, supporters walk out for more education funding," 26 Apr. 2018
Kanye has returned to Twitter and has been dropping some pearls of wisdom over the past couple of days (and also...whatever this is), but fans have been united in the collective wonder of Where the hell is the new album, Mr. West?

— jaya saxena, GQ, "Here’s What We Maybe Know About Kanye West’s New Album," 19 Apr. 2018
If Democrats are united in their opposition to the amendment, the GOP has a very narrow opening to pass the measure and put the final decision to voters.

— hunter woodall, kansascity, "‘It’s kind of a swampy mess’: Kansas GOP divisions show on constitutional amendment | The Kansas City Star," 9 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of unite

Middle English, from Anglo-French uniter, from Latin unitus, past participle of unire, from unus one — more at one

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

unite Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of unite

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union. join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

- joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

- combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

- the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

- a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

- a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

- opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

- related what he observed to what he already knew

unite

noun \ ˈyü-ˌnīt \

Definition of unite

: an old British gold 20-shilling piece issued first by James I in 1604 for the newly united England and Scotland — called also Jacobus

Recent Examples of unite from the Web

With Rihanna co-chairing the event, expect to see at least some of the cast unite on the Met Gala carpet.

— maeve mcdermott, USA TODAY, "Met Gala 2018: Everything you need to know about fashion's biggest party," 4 May 2018
Maurice Zuberano was second unite supervisor, and Ridgway Callow assistant director.

— thr staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Sound of Music': THR's 1965 Review," 2 Mar. 2018
The @AmericanIdol judges team @LionelRichie, @katyperry and @LukeBryanOnline unite on @GMA.

— gil kaufman, Billboard, "'American Idol' Reboot Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan & Lionel Richie Talk 'Dream Team,' Las Vegas Shootings on 'GMA'," 4 Oct. 2017
The graduates in their caps and gowns and the protesters supporting Local 33 UNITE HERE wearing orange T-shirts and carrying orange balloons mostly avoided each other.

— kathleen megan, courant.com, "Yale Honors Stevie Wonder, John Kerry, John Lewis At Commencement," 22 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of unite

obsolete unite united, from Middle English unit, from Latin unitus, past participle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1604

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

UNITE Defined for English Language Learners

unite

verb

Definition of unite for English Language Learners

: to join together to do or achieve something
: to cause (two or more people or things) to be joined together and become one thing
: to become joined together as one thing

UNITE Defined for Kids

unite

verb \ yu̇-ˈnīt \

Definition of unite for Students

united; uniting

1 : to put or come together to form a single unit

2 : to bind by legal or moral ties

This treaty will unite our nations.

3 : to join in action

The two groups united to improve schools.

Learn More about unite

See words that rhyme with unite Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unite Spanish Central: Translation of unite Nglish: Translation of unite for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unite for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about unite

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unite

Definition of unite

uniter

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Origin and Etymology of unite

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Synonyms

Antonyms

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unite

Definition of unite

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Origin and Etymology of unite

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UNITE Defined for English Language Learners

unite

Definition of unite for English Language Learners

UNITE Defined for Kids

unite

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