unitary

adjective

uni·​tary ˈyü-nə-ˌter-ē 

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 

adverb

Examples of unitary in a Sentence

the formation of a unitary state

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, the Supreme Court hasn't weighed in on the extent of this unitary executive theory. —Robert Costa, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2025

In Trump’s first weeks back in office, Musk has helped the president implement the unitary executive theory with speed and vigor. —Zachary Karabell, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025

The Trump administration has embraced an ideology called the unitary executive theory. —Charlie Savage, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

That vision is not new: it’s known as the unitary executive theory and has a long pedigree, dating back to the founding. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for unitary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

unitary

adjective

uni·​tary ˈyü-nə-ˌter-ē 

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 

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