unite

1 of 2

verb

yu̇-ˈnīt 

united; uniting

transitive verb

1

a

: to put together to form a single unit

a treaty uniting the independent nations

They were united in marriage.

b

: to cause to adhere

uniting bricks with mortar

c

: to link by a legal or moral bond

a purpose that unites the members of the group

2

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

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become one or as if one

The sperm and egg unite to form an embryo.

b

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

2

: to act in concert

All parties united in signing the petition.

uniter noun

unite

2 of 2

noun

ˈyü-ˌnīt 

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

called also Jacobus

Synonyms of unite

Verb

• combine

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of unite in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web

Verb

The theory, among opponents of the Democratic front-runner, Zohran Mamdani, is that Mamdani can only lose if voters unite behind the former governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent after Mamdani beat him, soundly, in the Democratic primary. —Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

The two women’s murders united their families, however. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025

Noun

Attendance is up nearly 60% over last year at the Mid-American Conference school’s games, the university says, as fans of cats and pigskin unite to cheer on the team and the new mascot. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

The two unite for the same cause. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

unite

verb

yu̇-ˈnīt

united; uniting

1

a

: to put or come together to form a single unit

b

: to cause to cling together

unite two pieces of wood

c

: to link by a legal or moral bond

2

: to become one or as if one

two elements unite to form a compound

3

: to join in action : act as if one

unite in song

uniter noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English uniten "to unite," from early French uniter (same meaning), from Latin unitus, past participle of unire "to unite, make into one," from earlier unus "one" — related to inch, ounce, unison