If you consider something as a unit, you consider it as a single, complete thing.
Agriculture was based in the past on the family as a unit.
Synonyms: entity, whole, item, feature More Synonyms of unit
2. countable noun
A unit is a group of people who work together at a specific job, often in a particular place.
...the health services research unit.
The results from this unit are staggering.
3. countable noun
A unit is a group within an armed force or police force, whose members fight or work together or carry out a particular task.
One secret military unit tried to contaminate the village's drinking water.
Two small Marine units are trapped inside the city.
4. countable noun
A unit is a small machine which has a particular function, often part of a larger machine.
The unit plugs into any TV set.
Synonyms: system, assembly More Synonyms of unit
5. countable noun
A unit of measurement is a fixed standard quantity, length, or weight that is used for measuring things.The litre, the centimetre, and the ounce are all units.
6. countable noun
A unit is one of the parts that a textbook is divided into.
More Synonyms of unit
unit in British English
(ˈjuːnɪt)
noun
1.
a single undivided entity or whole
2.
any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole
3.
a mechanical part or integrated assembly of parts that performs a subsidiary function
a filter unit
4.
a complete system, apparatus, or establishment that performs a specific function
a production unit
5.
a subdivision of a larger military formation
6. Also called: unit of measurement
a standard amount of a physical quantity, such as length, mass, energy, etc, specifiedmultiples of which are used to express magnitudes of that physical quantity
the second is a unit of time
7.
the amount of a drug, vaccine, etc, needed to produce a particular effect
8.
a standard measure used in calculating alcohol intake and its effect
9. mathematics
a. (usually plural)
the first position in a place-value counting system, representing a single-digit number
in the decimal system the number 27 has 7 units and 2 tens
b. (modifier)
having a value defined as one for the system
unit vector
10. Also called: unit set mathematics, logic
a set having a single member
11. short for home unit
12. short for stock unit
13. New Zealand
a self-propelled railcar
Word origin
C16: back formation from unity, perhaps on the model of digit
Unit. in British English
abbreviation for
Unitarian
Unitarian in British English
(ˌjuːnɪˈtɛərɪən)
noun
1. theology
a person who believes that God is one being and rejects the doctrine of the Trinity
2. ecclesiastical
an upholder of Unitarianism, esp a member of the Church (Unitarian Church) that embodies this system of belief
adjective
3.
of or relating to Unitarians or Unitarianism
Unit in American English
Unitarian
unit in American English
(ˈjunɪt)
noun
1.
a.
the smallest whole number; one
b.
a magnitude or number regarded as an undivided whole
c.
the number in the position just to the left of the decimal point
2.
any fixed quantity, amount, distance, measure, etc. used as a standard
; specif.,
a. US
a fixed amount of work used as a basis in awarding scholastic credits, usually determined by the number of hours spent in class
b.
the amount of a drug, vaccine, serum, or antigen needed to produce a given result, as on a certain animal or on animal tissues
3.
a.
a single person, group, or thing, esp. as distinguished from others or as part of a whole
b.
a single, distinct part or object, esp. one used for a specific purpose
the lens unit of a camera
c.
a single residence, as an apartment, that is part of a complex
a rental unit
4. Military
an organized body of troops, airplanes, etc. forming a subdivision of a larger body
Word origin
back-form. (prob. modeled on digit) < unity
unit in Mechanical Engineering
(yunɪt)
Word forms: (regular plural) units
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
A unit is a mechanical part or set of parts that performs a function within a larger system.
The hydraulic jacks have an integral pumping unit.
In this setup, the gearbox, clutch, final drive, and differential are combined intoa single unit connected directly to the driveshaft.
A unit is a mechanical part or set of parts that performs a function within a larger system.
unit in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(yunɪt)
Word forms: (regular plural) units
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Units)
A unit is the amount of a drug, vaccine, etc, needed to produce a particular effect.
One unit of a drug is roughly equivalent to one of another drug, but the dosage amount maybe different.
A unit of one drug may be a larger amount than a unit of another drug, if a larger amountis required for the drug to be effective.
A unit is the amount of a drug, vaccine, etc, needed to produce a particular effect.
unit dose
unit in Retail
(yunɪt)
Word forms: (regular plural) units
noun
(Retail: Products)
A unit is a single item. In retailing, a unit may be a pair of shoes, a bag of sugar, a box of chocolates, a gallon of gas, or a set of golf clubs.
The firm orders the smallest possible number of units with each order.
The sell-through percentage is the percentage of units sold during a period.
A unit is a single item. In retailing, a unit may be a pair of shoes, a bag of sugar, abox of chocolates, a gallon of gas, or a set of golf clubs.
unit cost
Examples of 'unit' in a sentence
unit
Strong cider is taxed less per unit of alcohol than any other drink.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It helps you track both the units of alcohol and the calories in your drinks.
The Sun (2016)
He will now hunt for smaller units away from the hustle and bustle to keep his company alive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They work as a unit and eat as one, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If you do box them in, turn the housing into a small shelving unit.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It's just a case of working as a unit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Different officers used different military drill manuals, leading to chaos when their units tried to work together.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
As long as you've got a good team unit together it doesn't matter where you are.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Although armed drones have been used frequently to target Isis commanders, the special forces unit has been used sparingly.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Staff shortages are a bigger driver: unable to get enough doctors to keep small units safe, health chiefs prefer to shut them down.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They can be merged into larger units for bigger groups looking to stay together.
The Sun (2015)
We work as a unit and we are definitely ready.
The Sun (2016)
We were such a close family unit and time together was treasured and precious.
The Sun (2010)
The top management of the unit should be small.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
He was organising sabotage units and armed groups.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The family need to heal and come together as a unit.
The Sun (2012)
Expect to interact with specialized new devices that will send and receive small units of information.
Larry Downes THE STRATEGY MACHINE (2002)
He groups these units and jobs into an organization structure.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
The programs are processed as a single unit thus avoiding wasted computer time as each program is loaded.
Samways, B. & Byrne-Jones, T. Computers Basic Facts (1983)
Certain couples do behave as a single unit in many areas of their lives and this is just one example.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One disadvantage of ranking techniques is that they only provide feedback to employees regarding their relative standings in the work unit.
Tompkins, Jonathan Human Resource Management in Government (1995)
Objectives are the foundation for designing both the structure of the business and the work of individual unitsand individual managers.
Peter F. Drucker THE ESSENTIAL DRUCKER (2001)
The delivery unit was set up in 2001 to help make government more efficient.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
No one appeared to have told the American special forces unit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Another 12 units will be set up to monitor former injured troops.
The Sun (2010)
After news spread of his arrest, special forces units withdrew from the frontline in protest.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This works out as about a quarter of a unit of alcohol for an average 100g serving.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
One illustration will suffice, provided by a friend who worked for many years in a cardiac unit.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A mobile casualty unit was set up although passengers with serious injuries were flown by helicopter to hospital.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One of the units will own the yoghurt brands and international licences, while the other will take over industrial operations.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
unit
British English: unit /ˈjuːnɪt/ NOUN
If you consider something as a unit, you consider it as a single complete thing.
...the basic family unit.
American English: unit
Arabic: وَحْدَة
Brazilian Portuguese: unidade
Chinese: 个体
Croatian: jedinica
Czech: jednotka
Danish: enhed
Dutch: eenheid
European Spanish: unidad
Finnish: yksikkö
French: unité
German: Einheit
Greek: μονάδα
Italian: unità
Japanese: 単一体
Korean: 단위
Norwegian: enhet
Polish: jednostka
European Portuguese: unidade
Romanian: unitate
Russian: единица
Latin American Spanish: unidad
Swedish: enhet
Thai: หน่วย
Turkish: ünite
Ukrainian: одиниця
Vietnamese: đơn vị
All related terms of 'unit'
x-unit
a unit of length equal to 0.100 202 × 10 –12 metre , for expressing the wavelengths of X-rays and gamma rays
SI unit
any of the units adopted for international use under the Système International d'Unités, now employed for all scientific and most technical purposes. There are seven fundamental units: the metre, kilogram , second, ampere , kelvin , candela , and mole ; and two supplementary units: the radian and the steradian . All other units are derived by multiplication or division of these units without the use of numerical factors
base unit
any of the fundamental units in a system of measurement . The base SI units are the metre , kilogram , second, ampere , kelvin , candela , and mole
cube unit
Cube units are shelving units made up of horizontal and vertical dividers which form open-ended cubes, suitable for displaying products such as towels in a range of colors .
home unit
a self-contained residence which is part of a series of similar residences
MASH unit
a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
per unit
Per unit is a way of expressing the value of a quantity in terms of a reference or base quantity.
sink unit
a fitted unit that consists of a sink , draining board and cupboards underneath
tail unit
the back or rear section of an aeroplane
unit cell
the smallest group of atoms , ions , or molecules that is characteristic of a particular crystal lattice
unit cost
The unit cost is the amount of money that it costs a company to produce one article.
unit dose
A unit dose is the amount of a medication administered to a patient in a single dose.
unit rule
a rule of procedure at a national political convention under which a state's entire vote must be cast for the candidate preferred by a majority of the state's delegates
unit set
a single undivided entity or whole
burns unit
a section of a hospital in which those with serious burns are treated
engine unit
the unit within which an engine is contained
family unit
a social group traditionally consisting of parents and children
mobile unit
a vehicle supplied with the basic equipment or materials necessary for a particular purpose, as for televising on location or being used as an x-ray or inoculation clinic
policy unit
a body of political advisors to the British Prime Minister
sealed unit
a hard disk that is permanently sealed to prevent damage to the read /write head
second unit
an additional crew on a film production, usually used at a second location for filming crowd scenes , exteriors, and other shots that do not require the principal actors
secure unit
A secure unit is a building or part of a building where dangerous prisoners or violent psychiatric patients are kept .
shower unit
a shower enclosure
social unit
a person or a group of persons, as a family, functioning as a unit in society
stock unit
the tax basis for evaluating farmers ' stock. Cattle , sheep , and deer are each given differing stock-unit values, the basic measure being the ewe equivalent
unit factor
the gene responsible for the inheritance of a unit character
unit holder
an investor in a unit trust fund
unit price
a price for foodstuffs , etc, stated or shown as the cost per unit, as per pound , per kilogram , per dozen, etc
unit sales
Unit sales refers to the number of individual items that a company sells .
unit trust
A unit trust is an organization which invests money in many different types of business and which offers units for sale to the public as an investment. You can also refer to an investment of this type as a unit trust .
vanity unit
a hand basin built into a wooden Formica-covered or tiled top, usually with a built-in cupboard below it
volume unit
a unit equal to a decibel for expressing the magnitude of a complex audio signal , as that of speech or music, above a reference level of one milliwatt
absolute unit
a unit of measurement forming part of the electromagnetic cgs system, such as an abampere or abcoulomb
accident unit
the room or department in a hospital where people who have severe injuries or sudden illness are taken for emergency treatment
angstrom unit
a unit of length equal to 10 −10 metre , used principally to express the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiations. It is equivalent to 0.1 nanometre
Carnegie unit
a standardized unit of measurement for evaluating courses in secondary schools in terms of college entrance requirements , representing one year's study in any subject, that subject having been taught for a minimum of 120 classroom hours to qualify
consumer unit
A consumer unit is a particular type of distribution board that controls and distributes electrical energy, especially in domestic premises .
control unit
the part of the computer that processes hardware , software , and user inputs and directs their implementation
currency unit
a unit of money, such as the pound , dollar , or euro , that is used in a particular currency
derived unit
a unit of measurement obtained by multiplication or division of the base units of a system without the introduction of numerical factors
display unit
a device with a screen that displays characters or graphics representing data in a computer memory . It usually has a keyboard or light pen for the input of information or inquiries
disposal unit
an electrically operated fitment in the plughole of a kitchen sink that breaks up food refuse so that it goes down the waste pipe
kitchen unit
a piece of a fitted kitchen , such as a cupboard or sink unit
medical unit
a group of doctors and nurses working as part of a larger organization , such as the armed forces or a prison
monetary unit
a unit of value and money of a country, esp the major or standard unit
shelving unit
A shelving unit is a flexible display system which can be moved and adjusted to accommodate different product dimensions .
stocking unit
A stocking unit is a measurement or number by which items are kept in inventory , for example by dozens, kilograms , or cases.
storage unit
a piece of furniture for storing something
thermal unit
a unit of heat in the fps system equal to the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1° F . 1 British thermal unit is equivalent to 1055.06 joules or 251.997 calories
unit pricing
a system of pricing foodstuffs , etc, in which the cost of a single unit is shown to enable shoppers to see the advantage of buying multipacks
Chinese translation of 'unit'
unit
(ˈjuːnɪt)
n(c)
(= single whole) 单(單)位 (dānwèi) (个(個), gè)
(= group, centre) 小组(組) (xiǎozǔ) (个(個), gè)
(= measurement) 单(單)位 (dānwèi)
(= machine) 部件 (bùjiàn)
(= section)[of furniture etc]组(組)合件 (zǔhéjiàn)
(Mil) 分队(隊) (fēnduì)
(in course book) 单(單)元 (dānyuán) (个(個), gè)
1 (noun)
Definition
a single undivided entity or whole
Agriculture was based in the past on the family as a unit.
Synonyms
entity
whole
The different components combine to form a complete whole.
item
The most valuable item on show will be a Picasso.
feature
a special feature on breast cancer research
piece
The equipment was taken down the shaft in pieces.
portion
I have spent a large portion of my life here.
module
2 (noun)
Definition
a team of people that performs a specific function, and often also their buildings and equipment
a secret military unit
Synonyms
section
company
The division consists of two tank companies and one infantry company.
group
The recipes are divided into groups according to their main ingredients.
force
a pan-European peace-keeping force
detail
His personal detail totalled sixty men.
division
cell
a spy cell of about three people
squad
The club is under investigation by the fraud squad.
crew
The film crew spent nearly twelve weeks shooting in Thailand.
outfit (informal)
He works for a private security outfit.
faction
A peace agreement will be signed by the leaders of the country's warring factions.
corps
an officer in the Army Medical Corps
brigade
the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade
regiment
...a regiment of hungry customers...
battalion
He was ordered to return to his battalion.
legion
The last of the Roman legions left Britain in AD 410.
contingent
There were contingents from the navies of virtually all UN countries.
squadron
garrison
a five-hundred-man garrison
detachment
a detachment of marines
platoon
a platoon of armed soldiers
3 (noun)
Definition
a standard amount of a physical quantity, such as length or energy, used to express magnitudes of that quantity
A disaccharide is a carbohydrate that contains two units of sugar.
Synonyms
measure
The colonies were claiming a larger measure of self-government.
quantity
the sheer quantity of data can cause problems.
measurement
4 (noun)
Definition
a group or individual regarded as a basic element of a larger whole
designed for teachers to plan a study unit on marine mammals
Synonyms
part
The engine only has three moving parts.
section
a geological section of a rock
segment
the poorer segments of society
class
They put me into a remedial maths class.
element
one of the key elements of the UN's peace plan
component
Enriched uranium is a key component of nuclear weapons.
constituent
Caffeine is the active constituent of drinks such as tea and coffee.
module
tutorial
5 (noun)
Definition
a mechanical part or small device that does a particular job
The unit plugs into any TV set.
Synonyms
system
assembly
Additional synonyms
in the sense of battalion
Definition
a military unit comprised of three or more companies
He was ordered to return to his battalion.
Synonyms
company,
army,
force,
team,
host,
unit,
division,
troop,
squad,
corps,
brigade,
regiment,
legion,
contingent,
squadron,
military force,
garrison,
horde,
multitude,
detachment,
throng
in the sense of brigade
Definition
a military formation smaller than a division and usually commanded by a brigadier
the men of the Seventh Armoured Brigade
Synonyms
corps,
company,
force,
unit,
division,
troop,
squad,
crew,
team,
outfit (informal),
regiment,
contingent,
squadron,
detachment
in the sense of cell
Definition
a small group operating as the core of a larger organization
a spy cell of about three people
Synonyms
unit,
group,
section,
core,
nucleus,
caucus,
coterie
Synonyms of 'unit'
unit
Explore 'unit' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of class
Definition
a meeting of a group of students for tuition
They put me into a remedial maths class.
Synonyms
lesson,
period,
seminar,
tutorial
in the sense of company
Definition
a small unit of troops
The division consists of two tank companies and one infantry company.
Synonyms
troop,
unit,
squad,
team
in the sense of component
Definition
a constituent part or feature of a whole
Enriched uranium is a key component of nuclear weapons.
Synonyms
part,
piece,
unit,
item,
element,
ingredient,
constituent
in the sense of constituent
Definition
a component part
Caffeine is the active constituent of drinks such as tea and coffee.
Synonyms
component,
element,
ingredient,
part,
unit,
factor,
principle
in the sense of contingent
Definition
a group of people with a common interest, that represents a larger group
There were contingents from the navies of virtually all UN countries.
Synonyms
group,
detachment,
deputation,
set,
body,
section,
bunch (informal),
quota,
batch
in the sense of corps
Definition
an organized body of people
an officer in the Army Medical Corps
Synonyms
team,
unit,
regiment,
detachment,
company,
body,
band,
division,
troop,
squad,
crew,
contingent,
squadron
in the sense of crew
Definition
a group of people working together
The film crew spent nearly twelve weeks shooting in Thailand.
Synonyms
team,
company,
party,
squad,
gang,
corps,
working party,
posse
in the sense of detachment
Definition
a small group of soldiers separated from the main group
a detachment of marines
Synonyms
unit,
party,
force,
body,
detail,
squad,
patrol,
task force
in the sense of detail
Definition
personnel assigned a specific duty
His personal detail totalled sixty men.
Synonyms
party,
force,
body,
unit,
troop,
section,
duty,
squad,
crew,
assignment,
fatigue,
detachment
in the sense of element
Definition
one of the fundamental components making up a whole
one of the key elements of the UN's peace plan
Synonyms
component,
part,
feature,
unit,
section,
factor,
principle,
aspect,
detail,
foundation,
ingredient,
constituent,
subdivision
Additional synonyms
in the sense of faction
Definition
a small group of people within a larger body, but differing from it in certain aims and ideas
A peace agreement will be signed by the leaders of the country's warring factions.
Synonyms
group,
set,
party,
division,
section,
camp,
sector,
minority,
combination,
coalition,
gang,
lobby,
bloc,
contingent,
pressure group,
caucus,
junta,
clique,
coterie,
schism,
confederacy,
splinter group,
cabal,
ginger group,
public-interest group (US, Canadian)
in the sense of feature
Definition
a prominent story in a newspaper
a special feature on breast cancer research
Synonyms
article,
report,
story,
piece,
comment,
item,
column
in the sense of force
Definition
a group of people organized for particular duties or tasks
a pan-European peace-keeping force
Synonyms
army,
unit,
division,
corps,
company,
body,
host,
troop,
squad,
patrol,
regiment,
battalion,
legion,
squadron,
detachment
in the sense of garrison
Definition
soldiers who guard a base or fort
a five-hundred-man garrison
Synonyms
troops,
group,
unit,
section,
command,
armed force,
detachment
in the sense of group
Definition
a number of people or things considered as a unit
The recipes are divided into groups according to their main ingredients.
Synonyms
category,
class,
section,
grouping,
order,
sort,
type,
division,
rank,
grade,
classification
in the sense of item
Definition
a single thing in a list or collection
The most valuable item on show will be a Picasso.
Synonyms
article,
thing,
object,
piece,
unit,
component
in the sense of legion
Definition
any large military force
The last of the Roman legions left Britain in AD 410.
Synonyms
army,
company,
force,
division,
troop,
brigade
in the sense of outfit
Definition
a group of people working together as a unit
He works for a private security outfit.
Synonyms
group,
company,
team,
set,
party,
firm,
association,
unit,
crowd,
squad,
organization,
crew,
gang,
corps,
dream team,
setup (informal),
galère
in the sense of piece
Definition
a separate bit or part
The equipment was taken down the shaft in pieces.
Synonyms
component,
part,
section,
bit,
unit,
segment,
constituent,
module
in the sense of platoon
Definition
a subunit of a company, usually comprising three sections of ten to twelve men
a platoon of armed soldiers
Synonyms
squad,
company,
group,
team,
outfit (informal),
patrol,
squadron
Additional synonyms
in the sense of portion
Definition
a part of a whole
I have spent a large portion of my life here.
Synonyms
part,
bit,
piece,
section,
scrap,
segment,
fragment,
fraction,
chunk,
wedge,
hunk,
morsel
in the sense of quantity
Definition
the aspect of anything that can be measured, weighed, or counted
the sheer quantity of data can cause problems.
Synonyms
size,
measure,
mass,
volume,
length,
capacity,
extent,
bulk,
magnitude,
greatness,
expanse
in the sense of regiment
Definition
an organized body of troops as a unit in the army
...a regiment of hungry customers...
Synonyms
army,
company,
force,
unit,
division,
section,
corps,
brigade,
battalion,
legion,
squadron,
detachment,
platoon
in the sense of segment
Definition
one of several parts or sections into which an object is divided
the poorer segments of society
Synonyms
section,
part,
piece,
division,
element,
slice,
portion,
wedge,
compartment,
subdivision
in the sense of squad
Definition
any small group of people working together
The club is under investigation by the fraud squad.
Synonyms
team,
group,
band,
company,
force,
troop,
crew,
gang,
dream team
in the sense of whole
Definition
a collection of parts viewed together as a unit
The different components combine to form a complete whole.