unity

[ yoo-ni-tee ]

noun

, plural u·ni·ties.

1. the state of being one; oneness.

   Synonyms: individuality, singularity, singleness

   Antonyms: variety, diversity

2. a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.
3. the state or fact of being united or combined into one, as of the parts of a whole; unification.
4. absence of diversity; unvaried or uniform character.
5. oneness of mind, feeling, etc., as among a number of persons; concord, harmony, or agreement.

   Synonyms: unison, concert

6. Mathematics.
   1. the number one; a quantity regarded as one.
   2. identity ( def 9 ).
7. (in literature and art) a relation of all the parts or elements of a work constituting a harmonious whole and producing a single general effect.
8. one of the three principles of dramatic structure the three unities derived from Aristotelian aesthetics and formalized in the neoclassic canon in which a play is required to represent action as taking place in one day unity of time, as occurring within one place unity of place, and as having a single plot with a beginning, middle, and end unity of action.

unity

/ ˈjuːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being one; oneness
2. the act, state, or quality of forming a whole from separate parts
3. something whole or complete that is composed of separate parts
4. mutual agreement; harmony or concord

   the participants were no longer in unity

5. uniformity or constancy

   unity of purpose

6. maths
   1. the number or numeral one
   2. a quantity assuming the value of one

      the area of the triangle was regarded as unity

   3. the element of a set producing no change in a number following multiplication
7. the arrangement of the elements in a work of art in accordance with a single overall design or purpose
8. any one of the three principles of dramatic structure deriving from Aristotle's Poetics by which the action of a play should be limited to a single plot (unity of action), a single location (unity of place), and the events of a single day (unity of time)

Other Words From

• non·uni·ty noun plural nonunities
• self-uni·ty noun
• super·uni·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unity¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English unite, from Old French, from Latin ūnitās, from ūn(us) one + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of unity¹

C13: from Old French unité, from Latin ūnitās, from ūnus one

Synonym Study

See union.

Example Sentences

Certainty, he continues, “is the great enemy of unity. Certainty is the deadly enemy of tolerance.”

From Salon

However, today's vote also risks deepening the unprecedented division that is now coming to define a league once known for its unity.

From BBC

Mysterious forces seek to quiet the talking animals of Oz, who preach freedom and unity.

From Salon

The Ukranian leader said it would be "very dangerous if we lose unity in Europe, and what is most important is unity between Ukraine and the United States".

From BBC

"It's heartbreaking and infuriating to see social media flooded with hateful comments when we should be celebrating love, pride, and unity," it said.

From BBC

Related Words

• agreement
• consensus
• harmony
• identity
• integrity
• peace
• solidarity
• unanimity
• unification