A union is a workers' organization which represents its members and which aims to improve things such as their working conditions and pay.
I feel that women in all types of employment can benefit from joining a union.
...union officials.
2. uncountable noun
When the union of two or more things occurs, they are joined together and become one thing.
Long before union with England, Scotland had a vibrant musical tradition. [+ with]
[Also + of]
3. singular noun
When two or more things, for example countries or organizations, have been joined together to form one thing, you canrefer to them as a union.
...the union of African states. [+ of]
...the question of which countries should join the currency union.
Synonyms: alliance, league, association, coalition More Synonyms of union
4. countable noun [usually singular]
The marriage of two people is sometimes referred to as a union.
[formal]
Even Louis began to think their union was not blessed in the eyes of God.
Synonyms: marriage, match, wedlock, matrimony More Synonyms of union
5. countable noun
Union is used in the name of some clubs, societies, and organizations.
The naming of stars is at the discretion of the International Astronomical Union.
...the Mothers' Union.
More Synonyms of union
union in British English
(ˈjuːnjən)
noun
1.
the condition of being united, the act of uniting, or a conjunction formed by such an act
2.
an association, alliance, or confederation of individuals or groups for a common purpose, esp political
3.
agreement or harmony
4. short for trade union
5.
the act or state of marriage or sexual intercourse
6.
a device on a flag representing union, such as another flag depicted in the top left corner
7.
a device for coupling or linking parts, such as pipes
8. (often capital)
a.
an association of students at a university or college formed to look after the students' interests, provide facilities for recreation, etc
b.
the building or buildings housing the facilities of such an organization
9. Also called: join mathematics
a set containing all members of two given sets. Symbol: ⋃, as in A⋃B
10. (in 19th-century England)
a.
a number of parishes united for the administration of poor relief
b.
a workhouse supported by such a combination
11. textiles
a piece of cloth or fabric consisting of two different kinds of yarn
12. (modifier)
of or related to a union, esp a trade union
Word origin
C15: from Church Latin ūniō oneness, from Latin ūnus one
Union in British English
(ˈjuːnjən)
noun
the Union
1. British
a.
the union of England and Wales from 1543
b.
the union of the English and Scottish crowns (1603–1707)
c.
the union of England and Scotland from 1707
d.
the political union of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1920)
e.
the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1920
2. US
a.
the United States of America
b.
the northern states of the US during the Civil War
c.
(as modifier)
Union supporters
3. short for the Union of South Africa
union in American English
(ˈjunjən)
noun
1.
a uniting or being united; combination
; esp.,
a.
a combining, joining, or grouping together of nations, states, political groups, etc. for some specific purpose
b.
a marrying or being married; marriage
2.
something united or unified; a whole made up of parts
; esp.,
a.
an organization or confederation uniting various individuals, political units, etc.
b.
labor union
c.
in England, a former combination of parishes for the joint administration of relief for the poor; also, a workhouse kept up by such a union
3.
a design symbolizing political union, used in a flag or ensign, as the white stars on a blue field in the flag of the U.S.
4.
a building used for social recreation on a college or university campus
: in full student union
5.
a device for joining together parts, as of a machine; esp., a coupling for linkingthe ends of pipes
6.
a fabric made of two or more different kinds of material, as cotton and linen
7. Ancient Mathematics
the set containing all the elements of two or more given sets, and no other elements
SIMILAR WORDS: alˈliance, ˈunity
Idioms:
the Union
Word origin
ME < MFr < LL(Ec) unio < L, oneness, unity < unus, one
COBUILD Collocations
union
powerful union
Examples of 'union' in a sentence
union
It has had the fastest growth since it joined the union.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They need trade unions interested in more than the public sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Cricket, rugby union and rugby league do not have a ban.
The Sun (2016)
The row is about driver-only trains unions say will make passengers less safe.
The Sun (2016)
It wants councils, trade associations and unions to be given a role in deciding which skills are needed in different regions.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I bought it through the trade union and was paying 11 % interest on my mortgage.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Union officials claim those with the most'just about managing' families will be worst hit.
The Sun (2017)
Unions have joined the main business organisations in raising concerns over the plan.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The unions say there is unemployed skilled labour available locally to do the jobs.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The countries forming this union were far too diverse to enable it to work.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This was always our argument against currency union.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It recently reached an agreement with unions to reduce pay costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What planet do these union officials think they are on?
The Sun (2011)
We could end up as a country that loses two unions.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
At a critical stage the representatives of the workforce were called together by their union officials.
Thompson, Sir Peter Sharing the Success - the story of NFC (1990)
At least one trade union is also thought to have intervened.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Such a view may seem anathema in rugby union.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The need for a union flag is unclear.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Women more than men focused their sole attention on marriage as a union of persons or souls.
Rotundo, E. Anthony American Manhood: Transformations in Masculinity from the Revolution to the ModernEra (1993)
The impact of school disruption emerged as two teaching unions called for action this summer and autumn.
The Sun (2012)
We must also note that her trade union had agreed to the change.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
The unions and the left generally did not like any of this.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is pressure for other unions to join the fight.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Student union facilities form the basis of the social scene on both campuses.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This is the price of membership of a currency union.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But unions say a pay rise is long overdue.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Try to get the support and cooperation of the top people in the union which represents our workers.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
It is said to be the first example of a trade union or staff association brokering a school improvement service.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Political and philosophical differences pose a further barrier to any International union movement.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
But as a former trade union leader, he must feel uneasy about the looming job cuts in the public sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Yet at the end of the day, unions are membership organizations, and women are a growingpart of that membership.
Rowbotham, Sheila The Past is Before Us - feminism in action since the 1960s (1989)
Quotations
Union is strength
In other languages
union
British English: union /ˈjuːnjən/ NOUN
A union is an organization that has been formed by workers in order to represent their rights and interests to their employers, for example in order to improve working conditions or wages.
Ten new members joined the union.
American English: union
Arabic: اِتِّـحاد
Brazilian Portuguese: união
Chinese: 联合
Croatian: savez
Czech: odbory
Danish: union
Dutch: vakbond
European Spanish: sindicato
Finnish: yhdistäminen
French: union
German: Vereinigung
Greek: ένωση
Italian: unione
Japanese: 結合
Korean: 연합
Norwegian: union
Polish: unia
European Portuguese: união
Romanian: sindicat
Russian: союз
Latin American Spanish: unión
Swedish: förening
Thai: สหภาพ
Turkish: birlik
Ukrainian: об'єднання
Vietnamese: liên hiệp
All related terms of 'union'
art union
a lottery , often with prizes other than cash
non-union
Non-union workers do not belong to a trade union or labor union. A non-union company or organization does not employ workers who belong to a trade union or labor union.
the Union
the United States of America, specif. when regarded as a federal union
civil union
a legally recognized marriage-like union of same-sex partners
craft union
a labour organization membership of which is restricted to workers in a specified trade or craft
labor union
A labor union is an organization that represents the rights and interests of workers to their employers , for example in order to improve working conditions or wages .
rugby union
a form of rugby football played between teams of 15 players
trade union
A trade union is an organization that has been formed by workers in order to represent their rights and interests to their employers, for example in order to improve working conditions or wages .
union card
a membership card for a trade union
Union City
city in NE N. J .: suburb of Jersey City: pop. 67,000
union dues
regular payments of money paid by members of trade unions as the cost of membership
Union flag
the national flag of the United Kingdom , being a composite design composed of St George's Cross (England), Saint Andrew's Cross (Scotland), and Saint Patrick's Cross ( Ireland )
Union Jack
The Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom . It consists of a blue background with red and white crosses on it.
union pipes
bagpipes developed in Ireland and operated by squeezing bellows under the arm
union rate
an hourly wage rate for an occupation or trade, established by collective bargaining. Usually it is the minimum rate that can be paid to qualified people in the job
union shop
(formerly) an establishment whose employment policy is governed by a contract between employer and a trade union permitting the employment of nonunion labour only on the condition that such labour joins the union within a specified time period
union suit
A union suit is a piece of underwear , worn by men or boys , that covers the body and legs.
African Union
an organization of African states established in 2002 as successor to the OAU; it aims to encourage economic development and political stability through increased cooperation between its members
company union
an unaffiliated union of workers usually restricted to a single business enterprise
credit union
a cooperative association whose members can obtain low-interest loans out of their combined savings
customs union
an association of nations which promotes free trade within the union and establishes common tariffs on trade with nonmember nations
French Union
a union of France with its dependencies (1946–58): replaced by the French Community
Soviet Union
a former federal republic in E Europe and central and N Asia: the revolution of 1917 achieved the overthrow of the Russian monarchy and the Soviet Union (the USSR) was established in 1922 as a Communist state. It was the largest country in the world, occupying a seventh of the total land surface. The collapse of Communist rule in 1991 was followed by declarations of independence by the constituent republics and the consequent break-up of the Soviet Union
Student Union
a building on a college or university campus used for student activities and usually having meeting and recreation rooms , offices , a snack bar , etc.
trades union
union buster
any of a group of persons hired by a company to disperse picketers, end a strike or job action, etc., esp. by violence or intimidation
union catalog
a library catalog combining the catalogs of several different libraries or different divisions of one library
union leaders
The leader of a group of people or an organization is the person who is in control of it or in charge of it.
union member
a member of a trade union
Union School
→ the Union School
Vienna Union
→ the Vienna Union
European Union
The European Union is an organization of European countries which have joint policies on matters such as trade, agriculture , and finance .
powerful union
A union is a workers ' organization which represents its members and which aims to improve things such as their working conditions and pay.
students' union
The students' union is the students' organization in a university or college which organizes leisure activities, provides welfare services, and represents students' political interests .
union catalogue
a catalogue listing every publication held at cooperating libraries
union donation
A donation is something which someone gives to a charity or other organization.
union territory
one of the 6 administrative territories that, with 28 states , make up the Republic of India
vertical union
→ industrial union
horizontal union
→ craft union
hypostatic union
(In Cristianity) Christ's condition of being, at the same time, both human and divine
industrial union
a labour organization in which all workers in a given industry are eligible for membership
management union
a union that represents managers in negotiations with their employers concerning terms and conditions of employment
union membership
members of a trade union
Grand Union Canal
a canal in S England linking London and the Midlands : opened in 1801
Pan American Union
the secretariat and major official agency of the Organization of American States
the Union School
a historic building located at 516-518 Bethlehem Pike in Fort Washington , Pennsylvania , in the United States . Built in 1773, the Union School was one of the earliest public schools in Pennsylvania, and the first that did not discriminate based on social position or religious preference
the Vienna Union
an international conference of socialists who came together in Vienna in 1921 in an attempt to reconstruct a united International by offering an alternative to the right-wing remnant of the Second International and to the Comintern : merged into the Labour and Socialist International in 1923
Union of Myanmar
→ the Union of Myanmar
State of the Union
A State of the Union speech or address is a speech, given once a year, in which the president of the United States talks about the current political issues that affect the country as a whole and about his plans for the year ahead .
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress in Britain is the same as the → TUC .
Chinese translation of 'union'
union
(ˈjuːnjən)
n
(u) (= unification) 合并 (hébìng)
⇒ We are working for the union of the two countries.我们正为这两个国家的合并而努力。 (Wǒmen zhèng wèi zhè liǎng gè guójiā de hébìng ér nǔlì.)
(c) (also trade union) 工会(會) (gōnghuì) (个(個), gè)
cpd
[activities, representative etc]协(協)会(會) (xiéhuì)
All related terms of 'union'
labor union
工会(會) gōnghuì [ 个(個) gè ] [ 英 = trade union ]
trade union
工会(會) gōnghuì [ 个(個) gè ] [ 美 = labor union ]
Union Jack
英国(國)国(國)旗 Yīngguó guóqí [ 面 miàn ]
European Union
▶ the European Union 欧(歐)洲联(聯)盟 Ōuzhōu Liánméng
the European Union
欧(歐)洲联(聯)盟 Ōuzhōu Liánméng
the former Soviet Union
前苏(蘇)联(聯) qián Sūlián
EU
European Union
1 (noun)
Definition
Employees often benefit from joining a union.
Synonyms
trade union
guild
the Writers' Guild of America
workers' association
2 (noun)
Definition
the act of merging two or more things to become one, or the state of being merged in such a way
Norway's union with Denmark in the late fourteenth century
Synonyms
joining
uniting
unification
the unification of Italy in 1870
combination
The company's chief executive has proposed a merger or other business combination.
coalition
merger
the proposed merger of the two banks
mixture
a mixture of spiced, grilled vegetables
blend
He makes up his own blends of flour.
merging
integration
There is little integration of our work and no single focus.
conjunction
This is due to a conjunction of religious and social factors.
fusion
the fusion of regular and reserve forces
synthesis
His novels are a rich synthesis of Balkan history and mythology.
amalgamating
amalgam
I tend to make my characters an amalgam of several people.
amalgamation
The organization was formed by an amalgamation of two groups.
3 (noun)
Definition
an association of individuals or groups for a common purpose
the question of which countries should join the currency union
Synonyms
alliance
The two parties were still too much apart to form an alliance.
league
the League of Nations
association
the British Olympic Association
coalition
He had been opposed by a coalition of civil-rights organizations.
federation
the British Athletic Federation
confederation
confederacy
Vienna was established as the political and cultural capital of a new confederacy of Germanic states.
Bund
4 (noun)
Definition
marriage or sexual intercourse
Even Louis began to think their union was not blessed.
Synonyms
marriage
When did the marriage take place?
match
They make a surprisingly good match.
wedlock
Her parents' divorce has given her a jaundiced view of wedlock.
matrimony
the bonds of matrimony
5 (noun)
Definition
marriage or sexual intercourse
the joys of sexual union
Synonyms
intercourse
DNA tests showed no evidence that intercourse had taken place.
coupling
copulation
the other (informal)
nookie (slang)
coitus
rumpy-pumpy (slang)
coition
6 (noun)
Synonyms
agreement
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
accord
I found myself in total accord.
unity
Speakers at the rally mouthed sentiments of unity.
harmony
a future in which humans live in harmony with nature
unison
unanimity
All decisions would require unanimity.
concord
A climate of concord and tolerance prevails among the two communities.
concurrence
proverb
Union is strength
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accord
Definition
agreement or harmony
I found myself in total accord.
Synonyms
sympathy,
agreement,
concert,
harmony,
accordance,
unison,
rapport,
conformity,
assent,
unanimity,
concurrence
in the sense of amalgam
Definition
a blend or combination
I tend to make my characters an amalgam of several people.
Synonyms
combination,
mixture,
compound,
blend,
union,
composite,
fusion,
alloy,
amalgamation,
meld,
admixture
in the sense of amalgamation
The organization was formed by an amalgamation of two groups.
Synonyms
combination,
union,
joining,
mixing,
alliance,
coalition,
merger,
mixture,
compound,
blend,
integration,
composite,
fusion,
mingling,
alloy,
amalgamating,
incorporation,
amalgam,
meld,
admixture,
commingling
Synonyms of 'union'
union
Explore 'union' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of association
Definition
a group of people with a common interest
the British Olympic Association
Synonyms
group,
company,
club,
order,
union,
class,
society,
league,
band,
set,
troop,
pack,
camp,
collection,
gathering,
organization,
circle,
corporation,
alliance,
coalition,
partnership,
federation,
bunch (informal),
formation,
faction,
cluster,
syndicate,
congregation,
batch,
confederation,
cooperative,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
affiliation,
posse (slang),
clique,
confederacy,
assemblage,
social network
in the sense of blend
Definition
a mixture produced by blending
He makes up his own blends of flour.
Synonyms
mixture,
cross,
mix,
combination,
compound,
brew,
composite,
union,
fusion,
synthesis,
alloy,
medley,
concoction,
amalgam,
amalgamation,
meld,
mélange,
conglomeration,
admixture
in the sense of coalition
Definition
a temporary alliance, esp. between political parties
He had been opposed by a coalition of civil-rights organizations.
Synonyms
alliance,
union,
league,
association,
combination,
merger,
integration,
compact,
conjunction,
bloc,
confederation,
fusion,
affiliation,
amalgam,
amalgamation,
confederacy
in the sense of coitus
Definition
sexual intercourse
Synonyms
sexual intercourse,
sex (informal),
coupling,
congress,
mating,
nookie (slang),
copulation,
rumpy-pumpy (slang),
coition,
the other (informal),
union,
poontang (taboo, slang),
rumpo (slang)
in the sense of combination
Definition
the act of combining or state of being combined
The company's chief executive has proposed a merger or other business combination.
Synonyms
association,
union,
alliance,
coalition,
merger,
federation,
consortium,
unification,
syndicate,
confederation,
cartel,
confederacy,
cabal
in the sense of concord
Definition
peaceful relations between nations
A climate of concord and tolerance prevails among the two communities.
Synonyms
harmony,
accord,
peace,
agreement,
concert,
friendship,
consensus,
goodwill,
unison,
good understanding,
rapport,
unanimity,
amity (formal),
consonance
in the sense of confederacy
Definition
a union of states or people joined for a common purpose
Vienna was established as the political and cultural capital of a new confederacy of Germanic states.
Synonyms
union,
league,
alliance,
coalition,
federation,
compact,
confederation,
covenant,
bund
in the sense of conjunction
Definition
a word or group of words that connects words, phrases, or clauses
This is due to a conjunction of religious and social factors.
Synonyms
combination,
union,
joining,
association,
coincidence,
juxtaposition,
concurrence
in the sense of copulation
Synonyms
sexual intercourse,
love,
sex (informal),
lovemaking,
the other (informal),
coupling,
congress,
mating,
intimacy,
sex act,
nookie (slang),
coitus,
carnal knowledge,
rumpy-pumpy (slang),
legover (slang),
venery (archaic),
coition,
poontang (taboo, slang),
rumpo (slang)
in the sense of federation
Definition
any alliance or association of organizations which have freely joined together for a common purpose
the British Athletic Federation
Synonyms
union,
league,
association,
alliance,
combination,
coalition,
partnership,
consortium,
syndicate,
confederation,
amalgamation,
confederacy,
entente,
Bund,
copartnership,
federacy
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fusion
Definition
something new created by a mixture of qualities, ideas, or things
the fusion of regular and reserve forces
Synonyms
merging,
uniting,
union,
merger,
federation,
mixture,
blend,
blending,
integration,
synthesis,
amalgamation,
coalescence,
commingling,
commixture
in the sense of guild
Definition
an organization or club for people with shared interests
the Writers' Guild of America
Synonyms
society,
union,
league,
association,
company,
club,
order,
organization,
corporation,
lodge,
fellowship,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
brotherhood
in the sense of harmony
Definition
a state of peaceful agreement and cooperation
a future in which humans live in harmony with nature
Synonyms
accord,
order,
understanding,
peace,
agreement,
friendship,
unity,
sympathy,
consensus,
cooperation,
goodwill,
rapport,
conformity,
compatibility,
assent,
unanimity,
concord,
amity (formal),
amicability,
like-mindedness
in the sense of integration
There is little integration of our work and no single focus.
Synonyms
combining,
mixing,
blending,
harmony,
unification,
fusing,
incorporation,
assimilation,
amalgamation,
commingling
in the sense of league
Definition
an association of people or nations formed to promote the interests of its members
the League of Nations
Synonyms
association,
union,
alliance,
coalition,
group,
order,
band,
corporation,
combination,
partnership,
federation,
compact,
consortium,
guild,
confederation,
fellowship,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
confederacy
in the sense of match
Definition
a partnership between a man and a woman, as in marriage
They make a surprisingly good match.
Synonyms
marriage,
union,
couple,
pair,
pairing,
item (informal),
alliance,
combination,
partnership,
duet,
affiliation
in the sense of matrimony
Definition
the state of being married
the bonds of matrimony
Synonyms
marriage,
nuptials,
wedlock,
wedding ceremony,
marital rites
in the sense of merger
Definition
the act of merging, esp. the combination of two or more companies
the proposed merger of the two banks
Synonyms
union,
fusion,
consolidation,
amalgamation,
combination,
coalition,
incorporation
in the sense of mixture
Definition
a combination of different things, such as feelings
a mixture of spiced, grilled vegetables
Synonyms
blend,
mix,
variety,
fusion,
assortment,
combine,
brew,
jumble,
medley,
concoction,
amalgam,
amalgamation,
mixed bag (informal),
meld,
potpourri,
mélange,
miscellany,
conglomeration,
hotchpotch,
admixture,
salmagundi
in the sense of synthesis
Definition
the process of combining objects or ideas into a complex whole
His novels are a rich synthesis of Balkan history and mythology.
Synonyms
combining,
integration,
amalgamation,
unification,
welding,
coalescence
Additional synonyms
in the sense of unanimity
All decisions would require unanimity.
Synonyms
agreement,
accord,
consensus,
concert,
unity,
harmony,
chorus,
unison,
assent,
concord,
one mind,
concurrence,
like-mindedness
in the sense of unification
the unification of Italy in 1870
Synonyms
union,
uniting,
alliance,
combination,
coalition,
merger,
federation,
confederation,
fusion,
amalgamation,
coalescence
in the sense of unity
Definition
mutual agreement
Speakers at the rally mouthed sentiments of unity.
Synonyms
agreement,
accord,
consensus,
peace,
harmony,
solidarity,
unison,
assent,
unanimity,
concord,
concurrence
in the sense of wedlock
Definition
the state of being married
Her parents' divorce has given her a jaundiced view of wedlock.