universality

noun

uni·​ver·​sal·​i·​ty ˌyü-nə-(ˌ)vər-ˈsa-lə-tē How to pronounce universality (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being universal
2
: universal comprehensiveness in range

Examples of universality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Even so, its absurdist lunacy acts as a Trojan Horse containing genuinely meaningful sentiments on forgiveness, happiness and bittersweet sorrows — universalities people tend to reflect on as their year comes to a close. Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 Physicist Frank Benford made the same observation in 1938 and popularized the law, compiling more than 20,000 data points to demonstrate its universality. Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 8 May 2023 The result is that social media influencers now have the power to share narratives that resonate with unique universality. Hen Mazzig, Variety, 18 Oct. 2023 The universality of the general-purpose computer was both profound and powerful. Cory Doctorow, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023 While there is some universality to these conditions, citizens in only a handful of democratic countries take a dimmer view of their government than Americans do of theirs. Dan Balz and Clara Ence Morse, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2023 Was that universality one of the pillars of the project? Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Oct. 2023 The deep universality of computers meant that Apple would always be able to blow a hole in Microsoft’s walled garden. Cory Doctorow, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023 But part of the appeal of Spider-Man is his universality. Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'universality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of universality was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near universality

Cite this Entry

“Universality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universality. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

universality

noun
uni·​ver·​sal·​i·​ty ˌyü-nə-(ˌ)vər-ˈsal-ət-ē How to pronounce universality (audio)
: the quality or state of being universal (as in range, occurrence, or appeal)

More from Merriam-Webster on universality

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