Unidade

Unidade is a noun in Portuguese that conveys the ideas of one, a single thing, or a unit of measurement or organization. The term comes from Latin unitas, from unus meaning "one," and it is used across many domains to express a discrete entity or quantity.

In mathematics and science, unidade can denote the unit element in algebra (the multiplicative identity) in some contexts, and more broadly refer to units of measurement, such as those in the International System of Units (SI) like meter, kilogram, and second. In everyday language it also describes a single item or a measure, for example “uma unidade de produto” (one unit of a product) or “unidade de medida” (unit of measure).

In organizational and institutional contexts, unidade commonly refers to a component or division within a larger body. Examples include a military unit, a police or civil unit, or public-service units such as “unidade de saúde” (health clinic) or “unidade de atendimento ao público.” It can also denote an administrative division within a city, school, or government structure.

Philosophically, unidade denotes unity or the coherence of a whole made from parts. In philosophy and theology it is used to discuss the oneness of a substance or concept.

Similar terms exist in other languages, such as unidad in Spanish, unité in French, and unità in Italian, all sharing the core sense of “oneness” or “a single thing.”