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military unit

military unit

15 2.8
A group of soldiers that does a specific task
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri ˈjunɪt/
: 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.