union

noun

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\ 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 Portland protests have gotten underway again Thursday, the day after the Portland City Council approved an extension of the rank-and-file police union contract and prominent officials rebuked recent policing tactics. — oregonlive, "Portland protests continue Thursday after police contract vote, calls for change in officer tactics," 2 July 2020 Scrutiny over police policy and practices has grown into scrutiny over local government decisions, such as approving the police union contract and levels of funding for city agencies, creating an interesting time for new local leaders to step in. — Darcy Costello, The Courier-Journal, "Metro Council election: Jecorey Arthur, Cassie Chambers Armstrong win, incumbents hold on," 30 June 2020 Because of the schools' union contract, that's all the district can require. — Erin Richards, USA TODAY, "'This is hell': Parents and kids hate online classes. Going back to school likely will include more of it.," 29 June 2020 But the move has been criticized by Pat Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, the city's largest police union. — NBC News, "NYPD is ready to turn the page with communities of color, Commissioner Shea says," 17 June 2020 The legislation aims to end the secrecy behind misconduct complaints against officers that are often shielded either by state law or by union contract. — Fox News, "After years of union objections, police reform legislation advances," 16 June 2020 This city’s current police-union contract expires on October 1, 2021, and a new round of negotiations will start early next year. — Gilbert Garcia, ExpressNews.com, "Garcia: Police reform requires a change in union mindset," 6 June 2020 The policy may create a more formal path to discipline for a violator or be required as a part of the officers’ union contract. — Cassandra Jaramillo, Dallas News, "Dallas Police Department announces new policies after seven days of protests," 5 June 2020 The tweet drew immediate backlash, including from the Creighton University College Republicans and the Omaha police union. — Fox News, "University apologizes for professor who said pro-police rally should be called ‘white supremacist rally’," 14 July 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective About 100,000 people protested in 2011 over then-Governor Scott Walker’s anti-union proposals. — BostonGlobe.com, "Alabama history agency admits perpetuating systemic racism," 24 June 2020 Kafoury also ordered a wage freeze for management and other non-union employees. — oregonlive, "Multnomah County outlines need for massive cash infusion to help vulnerable residents weather pandemic," 17 June 2020 Another anti-union management tactic might be telling you that the company can’t afford it, or that unionizing could cause layoffs. — Erin Corbett, refinery29.com, "How To Unionize Your Workplace — & Why You Should Do It Now," 16 June 2020 Budish had previously implemented 80-hour furloughs for all non-union employees. — Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, "Cuyahoga County lays off eight workers after unions decline furloughs," 9 June 2020 Hixson objected to Staples’ criticism and said the legislation isn’t anti-union, but instead pro-worker. — Tyler Arnold, Washington Examiner, "Tennessee House subcommittee advances right-to-work constitutional amendment," 4 June 2020 The AFL-CIO is the nation's largest pro-union group. — Fox News, "DC mayor announces evening curfew after riots tear through community," 2 June 2020 The state budget director also said that non-union exempt employees will lose pay equivalent to 10 days of unpaid leave, or an overall 3.8% reduction in their cost, in the coming fiscal year. — Randy Ludlow, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio cutting pay for supervisors, seeking trims for union workers, too," 2 June 2020

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

2 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Union.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/union. Accessed 3 Aug. 2020.

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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

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