uni·ver·sal
ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl 
1
: including or covering all or a whole collectively or distributively without limit or exception
especially
: available equitably to all members of a society
universal health coverage
2
a
: present or occurring everywhere
b
: existent or operative everywhere or under all conditions
universal cultural patterns
3
a
: embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as of humankind)
a universal state
universal practices
b
: comprehensively broad and versatile
a universal genius
4
a
: affirming or denying something of all members of a class or of all values of a variable
b
: denoting every member of a class
a universal term
5
: adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size)
a universal gear cutter
a universal remote control
1
: one that is universal: such as
a
: a universal proposition in logic
b
: a predicable of traditional logic
c
: a general concept or term or something in reality to which it corresponds : essence
2
a
: a behavior pattern or institution (such as the family) existing in all cultures
b
: a culture trait characteristic of all normal adult members of a particular society
Synonyms
Examples of universal in a Sentence
Adjective
an idea with universal appeal
a pattern that is universal across all cultures
Recent Examples on the Web
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2023
Every agency would be affected, including the Department of Education, which would see its budget cut by $1 billion over two years; the Sanitation Department; the city’s libraries; and popular programs like summer school and universal prekindergarten.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
But with magnetic alignment and a good deal more universal compatibility, Qi2 drags the broader wireless charging market forward.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 15 Nov. 2023
The four writers worked diligently to craft a universal text of unending commitment, but while the sentiment was significant, evaluating their progress was difficult.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 15 Nov. 2023
His mission is simple – to inspire artists, to connect with his roots, and to create a movement, all through the universal language of music.
—Ekow Barnes, Essence, 13 Nov. 2023
Nigerian-American designer, Ini Archibong, presents his own vision of spiritual reality, where his pieces are artifacts grounded in storytelling or mythology and based on universal or spiritual themes.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
There is no licensed vaccine for SARS, though researchers are working on universal coronavirus vaccines that could target both SARS and COVID, among other coronaviruses.
—Byerin Prater, Fortune Well, 10 Nov. 2023
The company is largely concerned about supply chain management — specifically, the apparent lack of a universal supply chain management standard.
—Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Katica Roy, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2023
Felker has a knack for narrative detail like the Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, able to tap into the universal through specifics, but instead of the Twin Cities, most of the action takes place in Oklahoma and neighboring states.
—Jon Freeman, Spin, 24 Aug. 2023
Listings are ordered by popularity, the insidious universal of the online world.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023
Not only is there is a human universal of offense at violation of sacred norms, but those sacred norms vary from culture to culture.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2012
As passive night-fighting capability is far from universal in Russia’s tank fleet, and being first to detect and shoot often determines the outcome of tank battles, the sights are particularly important.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 29 June 2023
Therefore, the common view that positive illusions are a human universal is based on heavily skewed research.
—Shinobu Kitayama, Scientific American, 15 May 2023
By making Athena into an avatar of literary ruthlessness, Kuang transforms what could have been a character with foibles and compulsions into a universal, and thus somewhat boring, archetype: the writer who wrecks her relationships and transgresses every boundary for the sake of her work.
—Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
This is the first change in testing recommendations since 2008 and makes testing universal for adults, rather than based on whether a person has any risk factors for hepatitis B infection.
—Valerie Debenedette, Verywell Health, 12 Apr. 2023
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Adjective
Many authors, like Riordan, Roth, and Levithan, use young characters as a way to appeal to universal themes people at any age can relate to, like longing, rebellion, and anxiety.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Nov. 2023
Every agency would be affected, including the Department of Education, which would see its budget cut by $1 billion over two years; the Sanitation Department; the city’s libraries; and popular programs like summer school and universal prekindergarten.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
But with magnetic alignment and a good deal more universal compatibility, Qi2 drags the broader wireless charging market forward.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 15 Nov. 2023
The four writers worked diligently to craft a universal text of unending commitment, but while the sentiment was significant, evaluating their progress was difficult.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 15 Nov. 2023
His mission is simple – to inspire artists, to connect with his roots, and to create a movement, all through the universal language of music.
—Ekow Barnes, Essence, 13 Nov. 2023
Nigerian-American designer, Ini Archibong, presents his own vision of spiritual reality, where his pieces are artifacts grounded in storytelling or mythology and based on universal or spiritual themes.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
There is no licensed vaccine for SARS, though researchers are working on universal coronavirus vaccines that could target both SARS and COVID, among other coronaviruses.
—Byerin Prater, Fortune Well, 10 Nov. 2023
The company is largely concerned about supply chain management — specifically, the apparent lack of a universal supply chain management standard.
—Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Noun
Vice President Harris, during her presidential primary campaign, articulated a true equal pay proposal, an initiative estimated to inject an additional $180 billion into U.S. coffers–revenue that could be used to offset the cost universal paid and medical leave as well as affordable childcare.
—Katica Roy, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2023
Felker has a knack for narrative detail like the Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, able to tap into the universal through specifics, but instead of the Twin Cities, most of the action takes place in Oklahoma and neighboring states.
—Jon Freeman, Spin, 24 Aug. 2023
Listings are ordered by popularity, the insidious universal of the online world.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023
Not only is there is a human universal of offense at violation of sacred norms, but those sacred norms vary from culture to culture.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2012
As passive night-fighting capability is far from universal in Russia’s tank fleet, and being first to detect and shoot often determines the outcome of tank battles, the sights are particularly important.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 29 June 2023
Therefore, the common view that positive illusions are a human universal is based on heavily skewed research.
—Shinobu Kitayama, Scientific American, 15 May 2023
By making Athena into an avatar of literary ruthlessness, Kuang transforms what could have been a character with foibles and compulsions into a universal, and thus somewhat boring, archetype: the writer who wrecks her relationships and transgresses every boundary for the sake of her work.
—Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
This is the first change in testing recommendations since 2008 and makes testing universal for adults, rather than based on whether a person has any risk factors for hepatitis B infection.
—Valerie Debenedette, Verywell Health, 12 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'universal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin universalis, from universum universe
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of universal was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing universal
Dictionary Entries Near universal
Cite this Entry
“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universal. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
universal
adjective
uni·ver·sal
ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl
1
: including or covering all or a whole without limit or exception
universal human characteristics
2
: present or existing everywhere or under all conditions
the family is a universal social unit
3
a
: including or involving a major part or the greatest portion
universal customs
b
: very broad in range
a universal genius
4
: adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size)
a universal wrench
universally
adverb
-s(ə-)lē
Legal Definition
universal
adjective
uni·ver·sal
ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl
1
in the civil law of Louisiana
a
: encompassing or burdening all of one's property especially causa mortis
granted him a universal usufruct
see also universal legacy at legacy compare universal title at title
b
: of or relating to a universal conveyance or a conveyance under a universal title
a universal donee
see also universal successor
2
: not confined by limitations or exceptions : general in application
universally
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on universal
Nglish: Translation of universal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of universal for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about universal
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