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
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
Olivia Evans, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
The district is particularly interested in whether lawmakers will approve universal school meals again, as the proportion of Fraser students eating free breakfast and lunch has risen with the Michigan School Meals program.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Ananya Palivela, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
Regardless, what’s interesting here is that the tendency toward self-reliance in decision-making appears to be a human universal, not just a Western trait.
—New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universal
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Adjective
Ford is investing $2 billion in its Louisville Assembly Plant to produce a new electric truck and create a universal EV platform.
—Olivia Evans, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
The district is particularly interested in whether lawmakers will approve universal school meals again, as the proportion of Fraser students eating free breakfast and lunch has risen with the Michigan School Meals program.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
Lauda’s team found a different way to make an Ising computer universal by introducing a new kind of anyon, the neglecton.
—Ananya Palivela, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
Regardless, what’s interesting here is that the tendency toward self-reliance in decision-making appears to be a human universal, not just a Western trait.
—New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universal
Cite this Entry
“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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