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

Makes FPVs with unitary warheads look like a walk in the park. —Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 4 Sep. 2024

Ukrainian nationalists saw it as a betrayal, endangering their push for a unitary and thoroughly de-Russified state; Russia’s own nationalists viewed the agreement as failing to formally unite the Donbas with Russia. —Katharine Quinn-Judge, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2021

By avoiding eight common mistakes, companies can create new kinds of value impossible under unitary leaders. —Anand Joshi, Harvard Business Review, 24 July 2024

The clear-eyed choice is not between the Deep State and the unitary executive. —Stephen I. Vladeck, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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