unit

plural units

1. mathematicsOneness, singularity, seen as a component of a whole number; a magnitude of one.First known use 16th c.

   Number, we define, to be, a certayne Mathematicall Sũme, of Vnits. [Note the worde, Vnit, to expresse the Greke Monas, & not Vnitie: as we haue all, commonly, till now, vsed.]

   1570, John Dee, in H. Billingsley (trans.) Euclid, Elements of Geometry, Preface

2. sciencesA standard measure of a quantity or magnitude.

   The centimetre is a unit of length.

   1 more example

   The pound sterling is a unit of currency.

   Synonyms: unit of measure, unit of measurement

3. computingA basic, self-contained component or module that performs a specific function inside a computer system.
4. The number one.
5. abbreviationellipsisEllipsis of international unit.

   This pill provides 500 units of Vitamin E.

6. An organized group comprising people or equipment.

   He was a member of a special police unit.

7. educationA course, lesson, or section of a curriculum covering a particular topic or skill.

   We're starting a new unit on photosynthesis next week.

8. informalgovernmentA member of a military organization.

   The fifth tank brigade moved in with 20 units. (i.e., 20 tanks)

9. businessAn item which may be sold singly.

   We shipped nearly twice as many units this month as last month.

10. AustraliaNew ZealandUKUSAny 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.

11. businessA structure used to display goods for sale (usually containing shelves, pegs or hooks)
12. AustraliaNew ZealandUSA 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.

13. medicineA quantity of approximately 517 milliliters (1.1 U.S. pints) of blood.
14. USgovernmentAny military element whose structure is prescribed by competent authority, such as a table of organization and equipment; specifically, part of an organization.
15. USgovernmentAn organization title of a subdivision of a group in a task force.
16. USgovernmentA standard or basic quantity into which an item of supply is divided, issued, or detailed.

    Synonyms: unit of issue

17. USgovernmentWith 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.
18. algebraThe identity element, the neutral element.

    An element 𝑒 of 𝑆 such that 𝑒𝑥 = 𝑥 = 𝑥𝑒 for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝑆 is called a unit element. (When the law of composition is written additively, the unit element is denoted by 0, and is called a zero element.)

    2005, Serge Lang, Algebra, 3rd edition, Springer, →ISBN, page 3

    Synonyms: identity element, unity, unit element

19. algebraAn element having an inverse, an invertible element; an associate of the unity.

    Let 𝐴 be an arbitrary integral domain. We say that an element 𝑎 ∈ 𝐴 is invertible or is a unit of 𝐴 if it has an inverse in 𝐴; in ℤ the units are ±1, […]

    1990, A. I. Kostrikin, I. R. Shafarevich, editors, Algebra I, Springer, →ISBN, page 22

20. category theoryIn an adjunction, a natural transformation from the identity functor of the domain of the left adjoint functor to the composition of the right adjoint functor with the left adjoint functor.
21. geographyA volume of rock or ice of identifiable origin and age range that is defined by the distinctive and dominant, easily mapped and recognizable petrographic, lithologic or paleontologic features (facies) that characterize it.

    For example, the Moenkopi Formation was named for the small settlement of Moenkopi, Arizona where the formation was first defined as being a separate unit from the rocks above and beneath it.

    2012, Chinle Miller, In Mesozoic Lands: The Mesozoic Geology of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Kindle edition

22. UKA unit of alcohol.
23. UKbusinessOne kilowatt-hour (as recorded on an electricity meter).
24. historicalA gold coin of the reign of James I, worth twenty shillings.
25. A work unit.
26. AustraliaUKslangA physically large person.

    Luca's father, Americo Campanaro, said: "I feel like my heart has been ripped out." Mr Campanaro added: "He was a big lad, a big unit, that's why he was a goalkeeper, with a big heart to match. A gentle giant."

    2018 December 11, “Aylesbury goalkeeper, 14, dies after match injury”, in BBC News

27. USslangvulgarA penis, especially a large one.

1. not comparableFor each unit.

   We have to keep our unit costs down if we want to make a profit.

2. not comparablemathematicsHaving a size or magnitude of one.

   Consider the following time sequence Z#95;t#61;A#92;sin(#92;omegat#43;#92;theta), where A is a random variable with a zero mean and a unit variance and #92;theta is a random variable with a uniform distribution on the interval #91;-#92;pi,#92;pi#93; independent of A.

   1990, William W. S. Wei, Time Series Analysis, →ISBN, page 9