Unity: meaning, definitions and examples

🤝
Add to dictionary

unity

 

[ˈjuːnɪti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

concept of oneness

Unity is the state of being one; oneness. It is the quality or state of not being multiple; oneness. Unity can also refer to a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one.

Synonyms

harmony, oneness, wholeness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
unity

Often used when talking about groups or teams achieving a common goal or coming together for a common purpose. It emphasizes togetherness and mutual support.

  • The community needs to show unity to overcome the recent challenges.
  • There was a feeling of unity among the players after they won the championship.
oneness

Often used in a spiritual or philosophical sense to express a state of being united as one. It emphasizes a deep sense of connection and unity.

  • Meditation can help you achieve a sense of oneness with the universe.
  • There was a oneness in their approach to solving the problem.
wholeness

Typically used to describe something complete or whole, often in a psychological or health-related context. It refers to overall completeness and well-being.

  • She has found a sense of wholeness after years of self-discovery.
  • The therapy focuses on the wholeness of mind, body, and spirit.
harmony

Commonly used in situations where different elements are working together seamlessly without conflict. It often refers to musical elements or peaceful relationships.

  • The choir sang in perfect harmony.
  • They worked together in harmony to complete the project.

Examples of usage

  • Working together in unity, the team was able to achieve great success.
  • The unity of the nation was evident during the crisis.
Context #2 | Noun

agreement or harmony

Unity can also refer to agreement or harmony between people or groups. It is the state of being in agreement and working together for a common purpose.

Synonyms

agreement, harmony, solidarity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
unity

When emphasizing the state of being one, particularly in a more abstract or broad sense such as within a group, country, or cause.

  • The celebration was a symbol of national unity
  • The team's unity helped them win the championship
harmony

When describing a peaceful and cooperative relationship, often in interpersonal or musical contexts.

  • Living in harmony with nature is essential for our survival
  • The choir sang in perfect harmony
agreement

Used when referring to a formal understanding between parties, typically in discussions, contracts, or negotiations.

  • They reached an agreement after hours of negotiation
  • The terms of the agreement were clear to all parties involved
solidarity

When demonstrating support and unity in a collective cause or struggle, often with a sense of mutual support in challenging situations.

  • The workers showed solidarity by striking together
  • Their solidarity impressed everyone during the difficult times

Examples of usage

  • The unity among the members of the community was essential for progress.
  • Finding unity in diversity is a key aspect of building a strong team.
Context #3 | Noun

coherent whole

Unity can also refer to a coherent whole, where all the parts come together in a harmonious way to create a sense of wholeness or completeness.

Synonyms

cohesion, consistency, integrity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
unity

Used when talking about people or groups coming together to act as one. Often related to solidarity and togetherness.

  • The team demonstrated great unity during the competition.
  • The unity among the citizens helped them overcome the crisis.
cohesion

Appropriate for describing how well parts of something stick together or work as a whole, often used in social or organizational contexts.

  • The cohesion of the family was evident during the holiday reunion.
  • Team cohesion improved after the management changed.
consistency

Best used when talking about something being the same over time, or predictable and stable in its pattern or quality.

  • His consistency in delivering high-quality work earned him a promotion.
  • The company's consistency in service has built strong customer trust.
integrity

Commonly used to describe honesty and strong moral principles, often referring to a person's character or ethical decisions.

  • She is known for her integrity in business dealings.
  • Maintaining integrity in journalism is crucial for public trust.

Examples of usage

  • The painting displayed a perfect unity of colors and shapes.
  • The unity of design in the building was remarkable.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'unity' comes from the Latin 'unitas', meaning oneness or being together.
  • Throughout history, many cultures have emphasized the importance of unity in community living and working together.
  • Unity has often been a theme in major historical movements, highlighting how collective effort can lead to significant change.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have debated the concept of unity as essential for understanding identity and existence.
  • Many philosophical traditions suggest that real understanding comes from seeing how things are connected rather than isolated.
  • Unity is often seen as a state of balance which many philosophers believe is crucial for happiness and well-being.

Science

  • In mathematics, unity is represented as the number one, serving as the foundation for counting and relationships between numbers.
  • Biologists study ecosystems to understand how unity among species leads to greater biodiversity and stability.
  • Physics examines the unity of forces, where forces combine into a single resultant force in understanding motion and stability.

Pop Culture

  • Many songs celebrate themes of unity, conveying messages of love and togetherness across diverse backgrounds.
  • Movies often use the theme of unity to show characters overcoming differences to achieve a common goal.
  • The concept is frequently seen in sports, where teams embody the spirit of unity to win games together.

Literature

  • In literary works, unity often symbolizes the journey of characters coming together to face collective challenges.
  • Classical literature frequently employs unity as a key theme, highlighting how individuals work together for a higher purpose or common good.
  • Poets often use imagery of unity to evoke feelings of solidarity among people or within nature.

Translations

Translations of the word "unity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 unidade

🇮🇳 एकता

🇩🇪 Einheit

🇮🇩 kesatuan

🇺🇦 єдність

🇵🇱 jedność

🇯🇵 統一 (とういつ)

🇫🇷 unité

🇪🇸 unidad

🇹🇷 birlik

🇰🇷 통일 (통일)

🇸🇦 وحدة

🇨🇿 jednota

🇸🇰 jednota

🇨🇳 统一 (tǒngyī)

🇸🇮 enota

🇮🇸 eining

🇰🇿 бірлік

🇬🇪 ერთობა

🇦🇿 birləşmə

🇲🇽 unidad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,799, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.