unitary

adjective

uni·​tary ˈyü-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce unitary (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to a unit
b
: based on or characterized by unity or units
2
: having the character of a unit : undivided, whole
unitarily
ˌyü-nə-ˈter-ə-lē How to pronounce unitary (audio)
adverb

Examples of unitary in a Sentence

the formation of a unitary state
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One such case that was dismissed without determining whether unitary status was achieved is the Concordia Parish, Louisiana case, the group said. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Although the unitary platform party does not participate directly in the negotiations, two of its member parties, Primero Justicia and Voluntad Popular, are represented in Figuera’s delegation. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 The unitary synthesis problem was first posed by researchers Scott Aaronson and Greg Kuperberg in 2006. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 For many veterans of the Reagan Justice Department, though, the unitary-executive theory is an article of faith. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unitary

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of unitary was circa 1790

Rhymes for unitary

See All Rhymes for unitary

Browse Nearby Words

unitarity
unitary
unitary color
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Cite this Entry

“Unitary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unitary. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unitary

adjective
uni·​tary ˈyü-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce unitary (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to a unit
b
: based on or marked by unity or units
2
: having the character of a unit : whole

Legal Definition

unitary

adjective
uni·​tary ˈyü-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce unitary (audio)
1
: having the character of a single thing that is a constituent of a whole
specifically : of, relating to, or being a business with subsidiaries in other states or nations that has its state income tax figured by including the subsidiaries' income, determining the portion of that income attributable to activities within the state, and taxing that percentage
a unitary business operating throughout the U.S.
imposed a unitary tax on a multinational corporation
2
: marked by unity : not dual or segregated : integrated sense 3
a unitary school district
unitariness noun
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