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
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.
The whole point of having a unitary executive is that someone is in charge.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
The new all-purpose councils - known as unitary authorities - are due to take effect in 2028 for a county of 1.9 million people.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
The current 15 authorities and two levels of local government are due to be abolished and replaced with between three and five all-purpose unitary councils.
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
Twenty-nine councils have had their elections postponed this year so they can focus on local government reorganisation, which will see fewer all purpose unitary authorities replace existing councils.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
He challenged the idea of a unitary state of South Africa.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
