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 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
1
: one that is universal: such as
a
: a universal proposition in logic
b
: a predicable of traditional logic
c
: a general concept or term or something in reality to which it corresponds : essence
2
a
: a behavior pattern or institution (such as the family) existing in all cultures
b
: a culture trait characteristic of all normal adult members of a particular society
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
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The analysis suggests that this two-thirds scaling rule could be universal for animals.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Lauda’s team found a different way to make an Ising computer universal by introducing a new kind of anyon, the neglecton.
—Ananya Palivela, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universal
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Adjective
Developed by researchers from Adelaide University, the method is a universal and scalable to upcycle common plastics — including PET, PVC, polyethylene and polypropylene and their mixtures — into single-atom catalysts (SACs).
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The analysis suggests that this two-thirds scaling rule could be universal for animals.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Sports legends Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are launching a new short film series to spotlight the universal, but underrepresented experiences of female athletes.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Lauda’s team found a different way to make an Ising computer universal by introducing a new kind of anyon, the neglecton.
—Ananya Palivela, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universal
Cite this Entry
“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universal. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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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