unit

An amount or separate part counted as one when measuring or counting something.

• Each box holds ten units.
• The building contains six housing units.
• How many units of alcohol are in this drink?

How to use it: a unit of something (One unit of electricity costs more now.)

Common phrases: a unit of, housing unit, one unit

A fixed amount used as a standard for measuring, such as a metre or kilogram.

• A metre is a unit of length.
• Use metric units for these measurements.
• Which unit measures electrical current?

How to use it: a unit of something (The kilogram is a unit of mass.)

Common phrases: unit of measurement, metric unit, unit of length

One separate item, especially when its exact kind is already known or unimportant.

• The unit fits under the desk.
• They installed a new air conditioning unit.
• We replaced the broken unit yesterday.

Similar words: item, device

Common phrases: air conditioning unit, a separate unit, portable unit, power unit

A group of people or equipment organized to work together for a particular purpose.

• The police unit searched the house.
• Two army units arrived before dawn.
• She works in the hospital’s emergency unit.

Similar words: team, division

Common phrases: police unit, military unit, emergency unit

Calculated for each single item or measured amount.

• The unit price is two euros.
• Higher sales can reduce unit costs.
• Compare the unit prices before choosing a pack.

Common phrases: unit cost, unit price, unit value