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
Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
In December, inventory stood at 1.15 million units, down 13.5% from November but up 16.2% from a year earlier.
—Bryan Mena, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
The number of units that will need to be inspected in an apartment building rose from 10% to 50%.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025
In 1994, the Northridge earthquake destroyed or seriously damaged tens of thousands housing units.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 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 Spurgeon, the Wild gain back a top-four defenseman who quarterbacks the top power play unit — which just got a lot more firepower with the return of Kaprizov.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
In December, inventory stood at 1.15 million units, down 13.5% from November but up 16.2% from a year earlier.
—Bryan Mena, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
The number of units that will need to be inspected in an apartment building rose from 10% to 50%.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025
In 1994, the Northridge earthquake destroyed or seriously damaged tens of thousands housing units.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unit
Dictionary Entries Near unit
Cite this Entry
“Unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unit. Accessed 30 Jan. 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