unit

1 of 2

noun

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 see also 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 matériel)
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

2 of 2

adjective

: 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.
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Noun
And that might be the kindest way to put what’s gone on for two years now for one of the worst individual units in franchise history. Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 2 Dec. 2024 In March 2023, the unit ran Midtown Jane Doe’s DNA profile through CODIS, the national DNA database maintained by the FBI, without success. Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024 The unit largely carried the Panthers to a state semifinal appearance and stymied opponents throughout the season. Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024 For all the agita over the lower-than-expected turnout for the NFL’s first-ever Black Friday game in 2023, Amazon Prime Video had already sold off the last commercial unit in this year’s production four months ago. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unit 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

back-formation from unity

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1633, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unit was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near unit

Cite this Entry

“Unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unit. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

unit

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the first and smallest natural number : one
b
: a single quantity regarded as a whole in calculation
2
: a definite quantity (as of length, time, or value) used as a standard of measurement
the dollar is the unit of U.S. money
3
a
: a single thing or person or group that is a part of a whole
b
: a part or arrangement of parts performing one function
a train drawn by two diesel units
c
: a part of a school course with a central theme

unit

2 of 2 adjective
: being, relating to, or measuring one unit of
unit length
unit angle

Medical Definition

unit

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on unit

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