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

While almost all the nation’s most prestigious ballet companies are unionized, many professional ballet dancers work in smaller companies or freelance, and don’t enjoy union protections, leaving them with little power to raise their wages or improve their workplaces in other ways. —Chloe Angyal, Time, 9 Mar. 2026

The Writers Guild East has been unionized for 20 years. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026

Finally, an antitrust exemption wouldn’t prevent college athletes from becoming employees or from unionizing. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026

For instance, Newsom signed a 2019 law that allows child-care workers to unionize. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for unionize

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

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