unionize

verb

union·​ize ˈyün-yə-ˌnīz 

unionized; unionizing

transitive verb

: to organize into a labor union

intransitive verb

: to form or join a labor union

unionizable

ˈyün-yə-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

unionizable employees

Examples of unionize in a Sentence

Workers are fighting for the right to unionize.

Recent Examples on the Web

The passage of Assembly Bill 1340 last year gave gig rideshare drivers the right to unionize and collectively bargain. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

The faculty opted to unionize last year, with 77 percent voting in May in favor of joining the United Auto Workers. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Second, schools could reconsider their opposition to the recognition of at least some D-I college athletes as employees who in turn might unionize. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The action is the first formal attempt by a frontier AI lab to unionize. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for unionize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

unionize

verb

union·​ize ˈyün-yə-ˌnīz 

unionized; unionizing

: to form into a labor union

unionization

ˌyün-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən

noun

Legal Definition

unionize

verb

union·​ize ˈyü-nyə-ˌnīz 

unionized; unionizing

transitive verb

: to organize into a labor union

to prevent them from unionizing the employees

also : to establish a labor union in

a unionized shop

intransitive verb

: to form or join a labor union

unionization

ˌyü-nyə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun