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

Choi said the nurses at Edward unionized to fight for better retention levels, compensation and safer patient-to-nurse staffing ratios. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

In July, SoCal Berry Growers employees elected to unionize under the United Farm Workers. — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Its workers unionized with WGA East and signed its first contract with the guild in 2018. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Health insurance costs are part of the reason why physicians at UC’s medical centers are collecting cards to unionize, according to Perez. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 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