unity

noun

uni·​ty ˈyü-nə-tē 

plural unities

1

a

: the quality or state of not being multiple : oneness

b(1)

: a definite amount taken as one or for which 1 is made to stand in calculation

in a table of natural sines the radius of the circle is regarded as unity

(2)

: identity element

2

a

: a condition of harmony : accord

b

: continuity without deviation or change (as in purpose or action)

3

a

: the quality or state of being made one : unification

b

: a combination or ordering of parts in a literary or artistic production that constitutes a whole or promotes an undivided total effect

also : the resulting singleness of effect or symmetry and consistency of style and character

4

: a totality of related parts : an entity that is a complex or systematic whole

5

: any of three principles of dramatic structure derived by French classicists from Aristotle's Poetics and requiring a play to have a single action represented as occurring in one place and within one day

6

capitalized : a 20th century American religious movement that emphasizes spiritual sources of health and prosperity

Synonyms

• balance
• coherence
• concinnity
• consonance
• consonancy
• harmony
• orchestration
• proportion
• symmetry
• symphony

Examples of unity in a Sentence

a sense of national unity

there's an aesthetic unity to the sculpture garden that makes it an ideal spot for quiet relaxing

Recent Examples on the Web

Friendly competition that still requires teamwork is a great way to encourage unity. —Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Having won the presidency and both houses of Congress, Trump could have launched his new administration in an atmosphere of confident Republican unity. —Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024

Republicans have called on Harris to concede, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), who congratulated Trump and said conceding is necessary for unity in the country. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024

His endorsement emphasized the need for national unity over partisan division. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unite, from Anglo-French unité, from Latin unitat-, unitas, from unus one — more at one

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

unity

noun

uni·​ty ˈyü-nət-ē 

plural unities

1

: the quality or state of being one

2

: the state of those that are in full agreement : harmony

3

a

: a mathematical quantity or combination of quantities treated as equivalent to one in a calculation

called the distance between earth and the sun unity and calculated other distances as multiples

b

: identity element

4

: the combination or arrangement of parts in a work of art or literature that produces a total effect

Legal Definition

unity

noun

uni·​ty ˈyü-nə-tē 

plural unities

1

: the quality or state of not being multiple : the quality or state of being one, single, whole, or the same

only if there is unity of ownership of the immovable and movables

2

: an aspect (as time, title, interest, or possession) of a joint tenancy that must be identical as it relates to the cotenants

such a conveyance severs the joint tenancy by removing the unities of time and title

Note: At common law, all four unities were required to be present for a joint tenancy. Conveying the interests of the cotenants at the same time creates the unity of time. Conveying the interests of the cotenants in the same instrument creates the unity of title. Conveying the same interest (as fee simple absolute) to the cotenants creates the unity of interest. Conveying a common right of possession or enjoyment creates the unity of possession.