union

noun

\ ˈyün-yən

Definition of union

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an act or instance of uniting or joining two or more things into one: such as

(1) : the formation of a single political unit from two or more separate and independent units

(2) : a uniting in marriage also : sexual intercourse

(3) : the growing together of severed parts

b : a unified condition : combination, junction a gracious union of excellence and strength

2 : something that is made one : something formed by a combining or coalition of parts or members: such as

a : a confederation of independent individuals (such as nations or persons) for some common purpose

b(1) : a political unit constituting an organic whole formed usually from units which were previously governed separately (such as England and Scotland in 1707) and which have surrendered or delegated their principal powers to the government of the whole or to a newly created government (such as the U.S. in 1789)

(2) capitalized : the federal union of states during the period of the American Civil War

c capitalized : an organization on a college or university campus providing recreational, social, cultural, and sometimes dining facilities also : the building housing such an organization

d : the set of all elements belonging to one or more of a given collection of two or more sets

— called also join, sum

e : labor union

3a : a device emblematic of the union of two or more sovereignties borne on a national flag typically in the upper inner corner or constituting the whole design of the flag

b : the upper inner corner of a flag

4 : any of various devices for connecting parts (as of a machine) especially : a coupling for pipes or pipes and fittings

union

adjective

Definition of union (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, dealing with, or constituting a union especially, capitalized : of, relating to, or being the side favoring the Union in the American Civil War Union troops

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Examples of union in a Sentence

Noun

She joined the teachers' union. An embryo is created through the union of sperm and egg. a perfect union of Eastern and Western music

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Burbank teachers union is countering with a 5% salary increase, retroactive to July 2017. — Andrew J. Campa, latimes.com, "Local unions react to Janus ruling with uncertainty, hope," 11 July 2018 Two young residents of Verona, Italy from long-feuding families during the Renaissance meet at a party, immediately fall in love and decide to elope the next day since their parents will never approve of their union. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, Pomerado News, "REVIEW: 'Romeo and Juliet' in Poway, a mix of modern with tradition," 11 July 2018 Graham touted her endorsement from the influential Florida Education Association teachers union. — Anthony Man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Democratic governor candidates seek edge for final sprint to primary," 2 July 2018 Becky Higgins, president of the Ohio Education Association, said the state’s largest teachers union opposes the bill. — Laura A. Bischoff, ajc, "Ohio lawmakers back bill requiring teachers to out transgender students," 30 June 2018 Superintendent Lewis Ferebee said the district doesn't want to lay off teachers, but praised the work of the district and teachers union in keeping the numbers low. — Arika Herron, Indianapolis Star, "More than two dozen teachers given notice by Indianapolis Public Schools," 29 June 2018 The Lincoln-Way High School District 210 board approved new multi-year contracts for its superintendent and teachers union. — Susan Demar Lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Lincoln-Way board votes to keep superintendent at least 5 more years, approves contract with teachers union," 28 June 2018 Some of the most powerful organizations nationwide, including teachers unions, are bracing for an exodus of members and money. — Morning Brief, The Seattle Times, "Neighborhood crime may not be as bad as some Seattleites fear and Amazon buys online pharmacy | Thursday Morning Brief, June 28," 28 June 2018 The 2016 case challenged a powerful teachers union in California; the new one targeted state employees in Illinois. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court deals major financial blow to nation's public employee unions," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'union.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

18 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for union

The first known use of union was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for union

union

noun

English Language Learners Definition of union

: an organization of workers formed to protect the rights and interests of its members

: an act of joining two or more things together

: a group of states or nations that are ruled by one government or that agree to work together

See the full definition for union in the English Language Learners Dictionary

union

noun

\ ˈyün-yən

Kids Definition of union

1 : an act or instance of uniting or joining two or more things into one The river is formed by the union of two tributaries.

2 : something (as a nation) formed by a combining of parts or members

3 capitalized : the United States

4 capitalized : the group of states that supported the United States government in the American Civil War

5 : a device for connecting parts (as pipes)

6 : labor union

Union

adjective

Kids Definition of Union

: relating to the group of states that supported the United States government in the American Civil War Union soldiers

union

noun

\ ˈyü-nyən

Medical Definition of union

: an act or instance of uniting or joining two or more things into one: as

a : the growing together of severed parts union of a fractured bone

b : a chemical combination : bond

c : the joining of two germ cells in the process of fertilization

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union

noun

Legal Definition of union

1 : an act or instance of uniting or joining two or more things into one especially : the formation of a single political unit from two or more separate and individual units

2 : something that is made one : something formed by a combining or coalition of its members: as

a : a confederation of independent individuals (as nations or persons) for some common purpose

b : a political unit constituting an organic whole formed usually from previously independent units (as England and Scotland in 1707) which have surrendered their principal powers to the government of the whole or to a newly created government (as the U.S. in 1789)

c : labor union