unionize

verb

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

transitive verb

: to organize into a labor union

intransitive verb

: to form or join a labor union
unionizable adjective
unionizable employees

Examples of unionize in a Sentence

Workers are fighting for the right to unionize.
Recent Examples on the Web A number of Patagonia employees at a Nevada store voted to unionize, making this the retailer's first U.S. location to elect union representation. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 Nearly one-third of developers were impacted by layoffs last year, and there’s a growing movement within the industry for workers to unionize to protect the jobs that remain. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 The dark side of tech Employees unionized as part of the larger fight for better pay and benefits and petitioned Google to come to the table for negotiations, but the software company had refused. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 Staffers at Amherst Cinema in Amherst, Massachusetts have also successfully unionized. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 Since the advent of civilizations, unionizing has promoted harmonious living with consolidation of domestic tasks. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Character performers at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim are moving to unionize under the Actors’ Equity Assn. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 At least 370 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since then. Dee-Ann Durbin, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2024 In another recent setback for the NCAA, an NLRB regional director ruled that Dartmouth men’s basketball players are employees of the university and allowed to unionize. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unionize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of unionize was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near unionize

Cite this Entry

“Unionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unionize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unionize

verb
union·​ize ˈyün-yə-ˌnīz How to pronounce unionize (audio)
unionized; unionizing
: to form into a labor union
unionization
ˌyün-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən
noun

Legal Definition

unionize

verb
union·​ize ˈyü-nyə-ˌnīz How to pronounce unionize (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unionize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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