¹unit

noun \ˈyü-nət\

: a single thing, person, or group that is a part of something larger

: a part of a hospital where a particular type of care is provided

: a particular amount of length, time, money, etc., that is used as a standard for counting or measuring

Full Definition of UNIT

a : the first and least natural number : one

b : a single quantity regarded as a whole in calculation

: a determinate quantity (as of length, time, heat, or value) adopted as a standard of measurement: as

a : an amount of work used in education in calculating student credits

b : an amount of a biologically active agent (as a drug or antigen) required to produce a specific result — compare international unit

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 materiel)

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>

See unit defined for English-language learners

See unit defined for kids

Origin of UNIT

back-formation from unity

First Known Use: 1570

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

²unit

adjective

Definition of UNIT

: being, relating to, or measuring one unit

First Known Use of UNIT

1839

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

UNIT Defined for Kids

unit

noun \ˈyü-nət\

Definition of UNIT for Kids

: a single thing, person, or group forming part of a whole <There are 36 units in my apartment building.>

: the least whole number : one

: a fixed quantity (as of length, time, or value) used as a standard of measurement <An inch is a unit of length.>

: a part of a school course with a central theme

Medical Dictionary

unit

noun \ˈyü-nət\

Medical Definition of UNIT

: 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

: a small molecule especially when combined in a larger molecule <repeating units of a polymer>

: 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>