unit

2 syllables

Quick answer

As a noun, unit means oneness, singularity, seen as a component of a whole number. As an adjective, it means for each unit.

Meanings of unit

30 meanings

noun

mathematicsOneness, singularity, seen as a component of a whole number; a magnitude of one.
sciencesA standard measure of a quantity.
“The centimetre is a unit of length.”
The number one.
An organized group comprising people and/or equipment.
“He was a member of a special police unit.”
militaryinformalA member of a military organization.
“The fifth tank brigade moved in with 20 units. (i.e., 20 tanks)”
commerceAn item which may be sold singly.
“We shipped nearly twice as many units this month as last month.”
USUKAustraliaNew ZealandAny piece of equipment, such as an appliance, power tool, stereo system, computer, tractor, or machinery.
“This air-conditioner is the most efficient unit we sell.”
USAustraliaNew ZealandA measure of housing equivalent to the living quarters of one household; an apartment where a group of apartments is contained in one or more multi-storied buildings or a group of dwellings is in one or more single storey buildings, usually arranged around a driveway.
“The new apartment complex will have 50 units.”
USmilitaryAny military element whose structure is prescribed by competent authority, such as a table of organization and equipment; specifically, part of an organization.
USmilitaryAn organization title of a subdivision of a group in a task force.
USmilitaryA standard or basic quantity into which an item of supply is divided, issued, or detailed. In this meaning, also called unit of issue.
USmilitaryWith regard to Reserve Components of the Armed Forces, denotes a Selected Reserve unit organized, equipped, and trained for mobilization to serve on active duty as a unit or to augment or be augmented by another unit. Headquarters and support functions without wartime missions are not considered units.
algebraThe identity element, neutral element.
algebraAn element having an inverse, an invertible element; an associate of the unity.

Older and rare meanings (1)

historicalA gold coin of the reign of James I, worth twenty shillings.

Ellipsis of international unit

adjective

For each unit.
“We have to keep our unit costs down if we want to make a profit.”
mathematicsHaving a size or magnitude of one.

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

unit around the world

US, UK, Australia, New ZealandAny piece of equipment, such as an appliance, power tool, stereo system, computer, tractor, or machinery.

US, Australia, New ZealandA measure of housing equivalent to the living quarters of one household; an apartment where a group of apartments is contained in one or more multi-storied buildings or a group of dwellings is in one or more single storey buildings, usually arranged around a driveway.

USAny military element whose structure is prescribed by competent authority, such as a table of organization and equipment; specifically, part of an organization.

USAn organization title of a subdivision of a group in a task force.

USA standard or basic quantity into which an item of supply is divided, issued, or detailed. In this meaning, also called unit of issue.

USWith regard to Reserve Components of the Armed Forces, denotes a Selected Reserve unit organized, equipped, and trained for mobilization to serve on active duty as a unit or to augment or be augmented by another unit. Headquarters and support functions without wartime missions are not considered units.

UKA unit of alcohol.

UKOne kilowatt-hour (as recorded on an electricity meter).