3 ADJ If something is unique to one thing, person, group, or place, it concerns or belongs only to that thing, person, group, or place. □ [+ to ] No one knows for sure why adolescence is unique to humans. □ [+ to ] This interesting and charming creature is unique to Borneo. ● unique|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ The problem isn't uniquely American.
uni|sex /juː n I seks/ ADJ Unisex is used to describe things, usually clothes or places, which are designed for use by both men and women rather than by only one sex. □ …the classic unisex hair salon.
uni|son /juː n I sən, -zən/
1 PHRASE If two or more people do something in unison , they do it together at the same time. □ The students gave him a rapturous welcome, chanting in unison: 'We want the king!'. □ Michael and the landlady nodded in unison.
2 PHRASE If people or organizations act in unison , they act the same way because they agree with each other or because they want to achieve the same aims. □ The international community is ready to work in unison against him.
unit ◆◆◇ /juː n I t/ (units )
1 N‑COUNT 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.
2 N‑COUNT A unit is a group of people who work together at a specific job, often in a particular place. □ …the health services research unit.
3 N‑COUNT 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 drinking water of the refugees. □ Two small Marine units are trapped inside the city.
4 N‑COUNT A unit is a small machine which has a particular function, often part of a larger machine. □ The unit plugs into any TV set.
5 N‑COUNT 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 N‑COUNT A unit is one of the parts that a textbook is divided into.
uni|tary /juː n I tri, [AM ] -teri/ ADJ [ADJ n] A unitary country or organization is one in which two or more areas or groups have joined together, have the same aims, and are controlled by a single government. □ …a call for the creation of a single unitary state.
u nit co st (unit costs ) N‑COUNT The unit cost is the amount of money that it costs a company to produce one article. [BUSINESS ] □ They aim to reduce unit costs through extra sales.
unite ◆◇◇ /juːna I t/ (unites , uniting , united ) VERB If a group of people or things unite or if something unites them, they join together and act as a group. □ [V ] The two parties have been trying to unite since the New Year. □ [V n] The vast majority of nations have agreed to unite their efforts to bring peace.
unit|ed ◆◇◇ /juːna I t I d/
1 ADJ When people are united about something, they agree about it and act together. □ [+ on ] Every party is united on the need for parliamentary democracy. □ A united effort is always more effective than an isolated complaint.
2 ADJ United is used to describe a country which has been formed from two or more states or countries. □ …Bismarck, the first Chancellor of a united Germany.
3 ADJ [ADJ n, in names] United is used in the names of countries which are made up from several states or smaller countries. □ …the United States of America.
Uni t|ed Ki ng|dom ◆◇◇ N‑PROPER The United Kingdom is the official name for the country consisting of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Uni t|ed Na |tions ◆◆◇ N‑PROPER The United Nations is an organization which most countries belong to. Its role is to encourage international peace, co-operation, and friendship.
u nit sa les N‑PLURAL Unit sales refers to the number of individual items that a company sells. [BUSINESS ] □ Unit sales of T-shirts increased 6%.
u nit tru st (unit trusts ) N‑COUNT 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 . [BRIT , BUSINESS ] in AM, use mutual fund
unity ◆◇◇ /juː n I ti/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Unity is the state of different areas or groups being joined together to form a single country or organization. □ There is support for economic unity in trade and industry to promote growth and prosperity. □ …German unity.
2 N‑UNCOUNT When there is unity , people are in agreement and act together for a particular purpose. □ [+ of ] …a renewed unity of purpose. □ Speakers at the rally mouthed sentiments of unity. □ The choice was meant to create an impression of party unity.
Univ also Univ. Univ is a written abbreviation for university which is used especially in the names of universities. □ …the Wharton School, Univ. of Pennsylvania.
uni|ver|sal /juː n I vɜː r s ə l/ (universals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is universal relates to everyone in the world or everyone in a particular group or society. □ The insurance industry has produced its own proposals for universal health care. □ The desire to look attractive is universal. ● uni|ver|sal|ity /juː n I vɜː r sæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] I have been amazed at the universality of our experiences, whatever our sex or age.
2 ADJ Something that is universal affects or relates to every part of the world or the universe. □ …universal diseases.