linear unit
1
3.5
- noun
- The meter is a common linear unit used in science around the world.
Examples
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The contractor measured the room in linear units before ordering materials.
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When converting inches to centimeters, remember that both are linear units.
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A linear unit is essential for measuring distances.
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In science, a linear unit is often required.
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The architect used various linear units, including meters and feet, to draft the blueprint.
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To measure the length of the table, we need to convert it into standard linear units.
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In science classes, we often discuss linear units to help students understand measurements.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A unit of length equal to 2.54 centimetres
470
1.0
A unit of length equal to one hundred centimeters
134
2.5
A small measurement of length equal to one thousandth of a meter
44
1.0
A unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter
4
9.9
A unit for measuring thickness equal to one thousandth of an inch
3
3.2
A fixed amount used as a standard to measure length, weight, or volume
2
4.8
A unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter
1
2.7
A standard amount used to measure things like length or weight
1
9.9
A traditional Chinese unit of distance equal to about half a kilometre
1
9.9
A small old unit of length equal to about 8 inches
1
8.4
A small distance equal to the width of a finger, often used to show a very small amount
1
9.9
An old measure for cloth equal to about 45 inches
1
9.6
An old unit of length equal to sixteen and a half feet
1
3.3
A unit for length like a meter or inch
1
9.9
A small unit for measuring round things like buttons or watch cases, equal to one fortieth of an inch
An old measure of distance used by the Romans equal to about 1,480 meters
A unit of distance used in sea navigation, like a nautical mile
A former unit of length based on a pendulum that swings once in one second
How Long
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a unit used to measure length' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'linear' (pertaining to a straight line/one-dimensional measure) with 'unit' (a measurement standard). This adjective + noun composition follows ordinary English compounding and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The term linear unit comes from the image of measuring along a straight line: linear means 'in a straight line' and a unit is one fixed amount, like a meter or an inch. So the phrase means 'a measure of length'.