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 truths
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
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
Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
But Vladimir is not built for universal appeal.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Ultimately, a party that cannot manage its own post-mortem without provoking near-universal condemnation is not yet a party that has shown itself capable of making the affirmative case for why voters should hand them the White House in 2028.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
But building a factory in a region that gave birth to brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche also gave him access to engineering talent from top schools in a land of universal health care and a strong social safety net.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for universal
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Adjective
Most of the spending is on ads intended to introduce voters to Tubbs, who may be best known nationally for driving an experiment giving select Stockton residents universal basic income.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
But Vladimir is not built for universal appeal.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Ultimately, a party that cannot manage its own post-mortem without provoking near-universal condemnation is not yet a party that has shown itself capable of making the affirmative case for why voters should hand them the White House in 2028.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
But building a factory in a region that gave birth to brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche also gave him access to engineering talent from top schools in a land of universal health care and a strong social safety net.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for universal
Cite this Entry
“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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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