Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

2 ADJ You can use unique to describe things that you admire because they are very unusual and special. [APPROVAL ] □  Brett's vocals are just unique. □  Kauffman was a woman of unique talent and determination. ●  unique|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  …people who consider themselves uniquely qualified to be president of the United States.

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.