unitary
Americanadjective
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of, pertaining to, characterized by, or aiming toward unity.
the unitary principles of nationalism.
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of the nature of a unit; having the indivisible character of a unit; whole.
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serving as a unit, as of measurement or estimation.
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of or relating to the use of units.
A unitary method was applied.
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Government. of or relating to a system of government in which the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of each state in a body of states are vested in a central authority.
adjective
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of a unit or units
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based on or characterized by unity
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individual; whole
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of or relating to a system of government in which all governing authority is held by the central government Compare federal
Other Word Forms
- unitariness noun
Etymology
Origin of unitary
Explanation
Use the adjective unitary to describe something that has or desires unity, or oneness. Just as the United States are joined together as one, words such as united and unity have to do with oneness or coming together into a single entity. The same is true of unitary. A unitary concert brings different kinds of music together. Unitary philosophy deals with how everything is part of a whole. There are many technical uses of this word, but they all have to do with uniting something.
Vocabulary lists containing unitary
Foundations of Government and Citizenship
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5th Grade Government Vocabulary, List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Essex is currently made up of 12 district and borough councils - and three county and unitary authorities - as part of a two-tier system of local government.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
Southend-on-Sea City Council leader Daniel Cowan, who led on the five district proposal, said his team could draw on almost "thirty years" of already being a unitary authority.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
The five-council model conflicts with the proposal championed by Essex County Council, which had favoured setting up just three unitary councils.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
Fewer all-purpose unitary councils are expected to save money and be simpler for residents.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
Only the dating of every past and future year changes each New Year’s Day, as one counts backwards or forwards from the unitary Now.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
