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
Feet and meters are both units of length.
: 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
The family is the basic units of society.
The search party broke up into smaller units.
b
: a part of a military establishment that has a prescribed organization (as of personnel and matériel)
c(1)
: a piece or complex of apparatus serving to perform one particular function
an air conditioning unit
(2)
: a set of similar pieces of furniture that are grouped or attached together
a built-in storage/wall unit
(3)
: an individual item of the products that a company makes or sells
d
: a part of a school course focusing on a central theme
finished the unit on the American Revolution
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
h
: one of a number of apartment or residences in a building or complex
: 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Taylor, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The owners of the unit also did not respond to our questions about the repairs.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
The recall affects products distributed in more than 20 states and involves over 6,300 total units.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Johnston said one of his goals for 2026 is to bring another 2,500 affordable units online and 5,000 more market-rate units.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unit
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Noun
The fact that three members of their regular defensive unit — who had helped Forest to keep 13 clean sheets last season — were unavailable did not help their cause.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The owners of the unit also did not respond to our questions about the repairs.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
The recall affects products distributed in more than 20 states and involves over 6,300 total units.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Johnston said one of his goals for 2026 is to bring another 2,500 affordable units online and 5,000 more market-rate units.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unit
Cite this Entry
“Unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unit. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unit
1 of 2 noun1
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
noun1
: 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
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