union
24 synonyms and 0 antonyms for union, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An organized group of workers formed to protect their rights and negotiate with employers.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use union
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French union, from Late Latin unio ("oneness, unity"), from Latin unus ("one").
Full origin of union →Frequently asked questions
What does “union” mean?
The word “union” means an organized group of workers formed to protect their rights and negotiate with employers. In plain terms, most commonly, either a workers' organization, or the joining of two things (countries, people, sets) into one.
How do you pronounce “union”?
“Union” is pronounced YOO-nyuhn (/ˈjuː.njən/ in IPA).
How do you use “union” in a sentence?
Here is “union” used in a sentence: “The union voted to go on strike over pay.”
What part of speech is “union”?
“Union” is a noun.
Where does the word “union” come from?
The word “union” comes from Late Latin. From Old French union, from Late Latin unio ("oneness, unity"), from Latin unus ("one").
Is “union” a common word?
“Union” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “union” have?
“Union” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an organized group of workers formed to protect their rights and negotiate with employers.
What is the difference between a trade union and a labor union?
There is no real difference — they are two names for the same thing. 'Trade union' is the usual term in Britain and much of the Commonwealth, while 'labor union' is standard American English. Both mean an organised group of workers that bargains collectively with employers over pay and conditions.
Why are unions important?
A single worker has little bargaining power, but a union lets employees negotiate as one, giving them real leverage over wages, hours, safety and job security. Unions also represent members in disputes, enforce fair treatment and give workers a collective voice that management is far harder to ignore.
What are the main types of trade unions?
Common forms include craft unions, which organise workers of one skilled trade; industrial unions, which cover everyone in a single industry regardless of job; and general unions, which take members from many trades and industries. Public-sector unions represent government and civil-service employees specifically.
How does a union protect workers' rights?
Chiefly through collective bargaining — negotiating pay, hours and conditions on behalf of all members at once. Unions also represent individuals in grievances and disciplinary hearings, press for safe workplaces, and can organise industrial action such as strikes when talks break down, using numbers as leverage.