unit

¹

[ yoo-nit ]

noun

1. a single thing or person.
2. any group of things or persons regarded as an entity:

   They formed a cohesive unit.

3. one of the individuals or groups that together constitute a whole; one of the parts or elements into which a whole may be divided or analyzed.
4. one of a number of things, organizations, etc., identical or equivalent in function or form:

   a rental unit;

   a unit of rolling stock.

5. any magnitude regarded as an independent whole; a single, indivisible entity.
6. Also called dimension. any specified amount of a quantity, as of length, volume, force, momentum, or time, by comparison with which any other quantity of the same kind is measured or estimated.
7. the least positive integer; one.
8. Also called unit's place.
   1. (in a mixed number) the position of the first digit to the left of the decimal point.
   2. (in a whole number) the position of the first digit from the right of the decimal point.
9. a machine, part, or system of machines having a specified purpose; apparatus:

   a heating unit.

10. Education. a division of instruction centering on a single theme.
11. Military. an organized body of soldiers, varying in size and constituting a subdivision of a larger body.
12. Medicine/Medical.
    1. the measured amount of a substance necessary to cause a certain effect; a clinical quantity used when a substance cannot be readily isolated in pure form and its activity determined directly.
    2. the amount necessary to cause a specific effect upon a specific animal or upon animal tissues.
13. Mathematics.
    1. an identity element.
    2. an element in a group, ring, etc., that possesses an inverse.

Unit.

²

abbreviation for

1. Unitarian.

Unit.

¹

abbreviation for

1. Unitarian

unit

²

/ ˈjuːnɪt /

noun

1. a single undivided entity or whole
2. any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole
3. a mechanical part or integrated assembly of parts that performs a subsidiary function

   a filter unit

4. a complete system, apparatus, or establishment that performs a specific function

   a production unit

5. a subdivision of a larger military formation
6. Also calledunit of measurement A standard amount of a physical quantity, such as length, mass, energy, etc, specified multiples of which are used to express magnitudes of that physical quantity

   the second is a unit of time

7. the amount of a drug, vaccine, etc, needed to produce a particular effect
8. a standard measure used in calculating alcohol intake and its effect
9. maths
   1. usually plural the first position in a place-value counting system, representing a single-digit number

      in the decimal system the number 27 has 7 units and 2 tens

   2. modifier having a value defined as one for the system

      unit vector

10. Also calledunit set maths logic a set having a single member
11. short for home unit
12. short for stock unit
13. a self-propelled railcar

Other Words From

• inter·unit adjective
• multi·unit adjective
• subunit noun
• super·unit noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unit¹

Coined in 1570 by John Dee ( def ) as a translation of Greek mónas (previously rendered as unity ); perhaps influenced by digit

Word History and Origins

Origin of unit¹

C16: back formation from unity , perhaps on the model of digit

Example Sentences

While the arterial line is the gold standard for blood pressure measurement in intensive care units and operating rooms, it is highly invasive, limits patient mobility, and can cause pain or discomfort.

From Science Daily

Slava, who appears in the film, is both a ceramist and a member of a Ukraine special forces unit who gives weapons training to civilians turned soldiers.

From New York Times

She knew how critical rent-controlled apartments were for working people, how her modest-sized unit helped her make a life in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

After being excluded, Jacob began attending Perryfields Primary pupil referral unit in Worcester.

From BBC

In order to do so, developers would need to include a certain percentage of affordable units — and the property must be near transit or along a major street near jobs and good schools.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crew
• entity
• group
• system