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[1] 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>