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military unit

military unit

15 2.8
A group of soldiers that does a specific task
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈjunɪt/
translation icon : unidad militar
  • In April 1993, the United States for the first time placed some entire military units under U.N. command in Somalia.
  • American military unit
  • U.S. military unit
  • women in military units

He's floating down and he's looking at the people, the military unit that he just targeted.

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Examples

  • The special forces military unit conducted a covert operation in enemy territory.

  • The USAFA is a military unit and, as such, it is also an institution of the federal government.

    Academic text (2007)
  • All military units should report to the station and wait, for further instructions.

  • If not, we probably need to create special military units that will volunteer for such duty.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Pride in the unit is something all military units strive for, but not all achieve.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Such operations, however, were increasingly rare as each military unit had its own special company or its own special squad.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The actions of individual military unit leaders directly affect the motivation of the combat soldier.

    Academic text (2001)
  • During this period, military units showed considerable restraint in the face of mass resistance to martial law.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Additional military units are converging on sites that are located in the state's outlying regions.

  • According to insider reports, Delta Force, like the Navy SEALs, is a top-tier military unit, designed to be ready for action at any time.

Synonyms

force
vsmilitary unit
2.3

An organized group of people like soldiers or police

is specific to armed services and emphasizes organized purpose for operations
unit
vsmilitary unit
2.8

A group of people in an organization who have a specific job

is specific to armed services and highlights organized purpose or operation
corps
vsmilitary unit
  • Specialized
529 7.2

A large military group made of two or more divisions and support

is the broader category for any organized armed formation regardless of size
division
vsmilitary unit
347 5.1

A large unit in the army, air force or navy

is the general term for any organized subgroup rather than that large formation
company
vsmilitary unit
329 2.4

A group of people organized to do a specific job, like soldiers or a ship crew

is the broad category for such organized groups across services
military force
vsmilitary unit
156 3.2

A group of soldiers organized to protect or fight for a country

is more general but focuses on armed personnel rather than formal structure
battalion
vsmilitary unit
  • Specialized
150 7.2

A large unit of soldiers made of several companies and led by a senior officer

is a general term for armed force groups, not limited to that size
outfit
vsmilitary unit
112 4.8

A group like a company or team that works together

is the formal general term for organized armed groups rather than an informal label
regiment
vsmilitary unit
  • Specialized
99 6.2

A large group of soldiers made of several smaller units

is the general category for formations organized for a particular operation
troop
vsmilitary unit
98 3.2

A group of soldiers organized to fight or carry out military tasks

is a general term for groups forming part of the armed forces
Special Forces
vsmilitary unit
  • US
59 3.4

A very well trained military group that carries out secret or dangerous missions

is the general term for armed groups, not only elite specialist formations
army unit
vsmilitary unit
5 2.5

A group of soldiers organized as part of an army, like a platoon or company

is the broad category for such organized armed force subdivisions
infantry unit
vsmilitary unit
3 4.3

A group of soldiers who fight on foot

is the general name for any armed group, not only ground fighters
military group
vsmilitary unit
2 3.1

A unit of soldiers organized to do a specific job for the armed forces

is the commonly used formal label for that same organized group
battle group
vsmilitary unit
  • Specialized
2 4.7

A military unit made of several groups of soldiers formed to fight

is any armed group arranged for a purpose, not only combat missions
artillery unit
vsmilitary unit
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A military group that uses large guns to fire at enemy targets

is the general label for armed groups, not limited to heavy weapon roles
air unit
vsmilitary unit
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A group in an air force that uses aircraft for missions

is the general category for organized armed groups beyond aerial focus
naval unit
vsmilitary unit
1 4.2

A ship or group of ships that a navy uses for military work

is the general term for armed groups across services, not only naval ones

How Big

division
347 5.1
brigade
  • Specialized
112 5.4
battalion
  • Specialized
150 7.2
military unit
15 2.8
company
329 2.4
platoon
119 5.8
squad
702 2.4

Surface Forms

military unit singular

Morphology

military + unit

The meaning 'a group forming part of a country's armed forces' is directly and compositionally derived from 'military' (relating to soldiers/war) + 'unit' (a group/section). This straightforward noun + noun/adjective pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The compound military unit puts together military, meaning soldiers, and unit, meaning 'one part of a larger whole'. Think of a row of building blocks where each 'unit' has its own leader and job, so a military unit is a smaller group of soldiers organized for a particular purpose.