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unionize

verb
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union·​ize | \ ˈyün-yə-ˌnīz How to pronounce unionize (audio) \
unionized; unionizing

Definition of unionize

transitive verb

: to organize into a labor union

intransitive verb

: to form or join a labor union
Other Words from unionize Example Sentences Learn More about unionize

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Other Words from unionize

unionizable \ ˈyün-​yə-​ˌnī-​zə-​bəl How to pronounce unionizable (audio) \ adjective
unionizable employees

Examples of unionize in a Sentence

Workers are fighting for the right to unionize.
Recent Examples on the Web In a statement, Terri Haack, president of the Terranea Resort, said the measure was part of a two-year effort by Unite Here to unionize her workers without a secret ballot election. — Hugo Martin, Los Angeles Times, "Panic button measure in Rancho Palos Verdes draws big spending," 22 Oct. 2019 The Trump administration released a memo in May saying that ride-hailing drivers are not employees, and therefore aren't protected by the National Labor Relations Act, the federal law that allows employees to unionize. — Tonya Riley, Washington Post, "The Technology 202: Uber, Lyft drivers vow to continue fight for unions despite company pushback," 23 Sep. 2019 Independent contractors aren’t allowed to unionize. — Rhonda Abrams, USA TODAY, "How small businesses classify employees matters in a big way," 18 June 2019 The latest dispute in higher education, highlighted by a recent three-day walkout at the University of Chicago, is whether graduate students in private universities should be allowed to unionize. — Tyler Cowen, Twin Cities, "Tyler Cowen: Keep unions away from graduate students at private universities," 17 June 2019 And labor will be seeking the right to unionize for gig workers. — Carolyn Said, SFChronicle.com, "AB5 gig work bill: All your questions answered," 16 Sep. 2019 About 150 workers making deliveries and working in warehouses for Google in 2015 attempted to unionize before the company rejiggered the unit, effectively quashing the effort. — Greg Bensinger, Washington Post, "Google contract workers vote to form a union amid employee discord over treatment," 30 Aug. 2019 Democratic White House hopefuls are increasingly showing up at protests by McDonald's workers demanding higher wages and the right to unionize. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Democratic candidates find an easy target in McDonald's pay," 20 June 2019 Amazon’s training video exists because employees of its recent acquisition, Whole Foods, are attempting to unionize. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, "What Tesla’s union-busting trial means for the rest of Silicon Valley," 29 Sep. 2018

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

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First Known Use of unionize

1872, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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Statistics for unionize

Last Updated

18 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for unionize

The first known use of unionize was in 1872

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More Definitions for unionize

unionize

verb
How to pronounce unionize (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of unionize

: to form or join a labor union
: to help (people) form or join a labor union

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

unionize

verb
union·​ize | \ ˈyü-nyə-ˌnīz How to pronounce unionize (audio) \
unionized; unionizing

Legal Definition of unionize

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

Other Words from unionize

unionization \ ˌyü-​nyə-​nə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce unionization (audio) \ noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on unionize

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with unionize

Spanish Central: Translation of unionize

Nglish: Translation of unionize for Spanish Speakers

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