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

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

The new study extends that idea to quantum operations, specifically unitary gates. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026

The court would have applied the theory of the unitary executive, which the conservatives claim to be a product of originalism. — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for unitary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

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