UNITARY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unitary mean? 

• UNITARY (adjective)
  The adjective UNITARY has 4 senses:

1. relating to or characterized by or aiming toward unity

2. of or pertaining to or involving the use of units

3. characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is held by one central authority

4. having the indivisible character of a unit

  Familiarity information: UNITARY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNITARY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relating to or characterized by or aiming toward unity

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

a unitary movement in politics

Pertainym:

unity (an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or pertaining to or involving the use of units

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

established a unitary distance on which to base subsequent calculations

Pertainym:

unit (a single undivided natural thing occurring in the composition of something else)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is held by one central authority

Context example:

a unitary as opposed to a federal form of government

Domain category:

administration; governance; governing; government; government activity (the act of governing; exercising authority)

Antonym:

federal (characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Having the indivisible character of a unit

Synonyms:

one; unitary

Context example:

spoke with one voice

Similar:

united (characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity)