unite

verb \ yu̇-ˈnīt \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

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Examples: unite in a Sentence

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

Step Up was a lovely story about two people from different sides of the track who are united in love and success through dance.

— jaya saxena, GQ, "Step Up 2: The Streets Is Actually the Best Step Up Movie (And It's on Netflix)," 4 July 2018
But the Capitals' championship parade put focus on the local residents, and a city united by its team's title run.

— steve gardner, USA TODAY, "Stanley Cup pays visit to Capital Gazette's temporary offices," 3 July 2018
Since the storm, Cruz and her post-María neighbors have become a new community, united by a tragedy.

— bianca padró ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "These Puerto Ricans who fled Hurricane María's destruction built a community at a Super 8 in Kissimmee. Now, they have to leave it.," 27 June 2018
The potential for a tanker to leak its cargo has helped unite opposition in the Pacific Northwest, since the project would increase the number of oil-carrying vessels departing Burnaby each month from five to 34.

— hal bernton, The Seattle Times, "Canada acquires key pipeline link to Washington refineries," 11 June 2018
The two men reconciled in 2016, united by their resolve to oust Najib.

— Fox News, "Stunning fall of Malaysia's Najib ushers in hopes of reform," 23 May 2018
The two men reconciled in 2016, united by their resolve to oust Najib.

— eileen ng, The Christian Science Monitor, "New Malaysian government offers hope for simmering ethnic tensions," 23 May 2018
And all of the attendees, possibly excepting the guy from DSA, are united by their desire to get a photo of (or long-distance selfie with) Musk, who is mobbed at the stage after the presentation.

— kevin lincoln, The Verge, "I went to Elon Musk’s Boring Company LA pep rally," 18 May 2018
The movie follows the lives of an ensemble cast of characters united by their appreciation for (and frustration with) various very good dogs.

— claire dodson, Teen Vogue, "Watch the Trailer for Finn Wolfhard's New Movie "Dog Days"," 9 May 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

From David to Erika to 'D' to the gender neutral, elephant-human-hybrid Eureka who perseveres in the face of adversity - all of these persons with their strengths and flaws - unite in me.

— megan friedman, Seventeen, ""Drag Race" Finalist Eureka O’Hara Says It's Time for Big Girls To Rule The World," 25 June 2018
Much more interesting would be seeing superstars team up, or former teammates re-unite.

— si.com staff, SI.com, "Nine Innings: The Yankees' Greatest Need, Unlikely All-Stars and Midsummer Classic Changes," 11 June 2018
Kroger sells off convenience store business for $2.15B Kroger has sold off its convenience store business unite to EG Group for approximately $2.15 billion.

— kara driscoll, ajc, "5 surprising ways Kroger is changing stores in 2018," 30 May 2018
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