1
a
: the first and least natural number : one
b
: a single quantity regarded as a whole in calculation
2
: a determinate quantity (as of length, time, heat, or value) adopted as a standard of measurement: such as
a
: an amount of work used in education in calculating student credits
b
: an amount of a biologically active agent (such as a drug or antigen) required to produce a specific result see also international unit
3
a
: a single thing, person, or group that is a constituent of a whole
b
: a part of a military establishment that has a prescribed organization (as of personnel and matériel)
c
: a piece or complex of apparatus serving to perform one particular function
d
: a part of a school course focusing on a central theme
e
: a local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
f
: a small molecule especially when combined in a larger molecule
repeating units of a polymer
g
: an area in a medical facility and especially a hospital that is specially staffed and equipped to provide a particular type of care
an intensive care unit
: being, relating to, or measuring one unit
Examples of unit in a Sentence
Noun
The family is the basic unit of society.
The search party broke up into smaller units.
Their army unit guarded the border.
Feet and meters are units of length.
The dollar is the principal unit of American currency.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
In effect, the unit will develop and produce content that’s powered by AI.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Researchers could run a measuring wheel across an animal’s hide and mark out units in chalk, or skin the creature and measure its surface area by hand.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
The three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath ground-floor unit faces Sydney Harbor.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unit
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
In Sunday's Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers, Brady's unit amassed 410 yards of total offense and scored 40 points.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
In effect, the unit will develop and produce content that’s powered by AI.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Researchers could run a measuring wheel across an animal’s hide and mark out units in chalk, or skin the creature and measure its surface area by hand.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
The three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath ground-floor unit faces Sydney Harbor.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unit
Cite this Entry
“Unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unit. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unit
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the first and smallest natural number : one
b
: a single quantity regarded as a whole in calculation
2
: a definite quantity (as of length, time, or value) used as a standard of measurement
the dollar is the unit of U.S. money
3
a
: a single thing or person or group that is a part of a whole
b
: a part or arrangement of parts performing one function
a train drawn by two diesel units
c
: a part of a school course with a central theme
unit
2 of 2 adjective
: being, relating to, or measuring one unit of
unit length
unit angle
Medical Definition
unit
noun1
: an amount of a biologically active agent (as a drug or antigen) required to produce a specific result under strictly controlled conditions
a unit of penicillin
see international unit
2
: a small molecule especially when combined in a larger molecule
repeating units of a polymer
3
: an area in a medical facility and especially a hospital that is specially staffed and equipped to provide a particular type of care
an intensive care unit
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share