Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act or process of joining two or more things into one: "Union" refers to the state of being united or the action of uniting separate parts, entities, or groups.
   • A political or social unit formed from such a joining: "Union" can denote a country, federation, or alliance created by the combination of smaller states, nations, or organizations.
   • An organization of workers: In a specific context, "union" means an association of employees formed to protect their rights and negotiate with employers.
   • The state of marriage: "Union" can refer to the legally or formally recognized partnership of two people as spouses.
   • A device on a flag: In heraldry, "union" is a design, often in a corner of a flag, symbolizing the union of different territories or principles.
   • A mathematical set: In set theory, the "union" of sets is a new set containing all elements from the given sets.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to a labor union: Describes something connected to or characteristic of a trade union.
   • Relating to the northern United States during the Civil War: Pertaining to the federal side (the Union) in the American Civil War.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The union of the two companies created a market leader. (The joining of the two companies created a market leader.)
  • The European Union is a political and economic partnership. (The European Union is a political and economic partnership.)
  • She joined the teachers' union to advocate for better pay. (She joined the teachers' union to advocate for better pay.)
  • Their union has lasted for fifty happy years. (Their marriage has lasted for fifty happy years.)
  • The flag's union features stars representing the states. (The flag's emblematic corner features stars representing the states.)
  • Set C is the union of sets A and B. (Set C contains all elements from both set A and set B.)

• Adjective:

  • Union leaders are negotiating a new contract. (Labor union leaders are negotiating a new contract.)
  • Union soldiers fought to preserve the nation. (Federal soldiers fought to preserve the nation.)

Advanced Usage

• "In union": Acting together in harmony or agreement.

  • The community worked in union to rebuild after the storm. (The community worked together in harmony to rebuild after the storm.)

• "Perfect union": Often used in political or philosophical contexts to describe an ideal state of unity.

  • The constitution aims to form a more perfect union. (The constitution aims to form a more ideal state of national unity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unify (verb): To make or become united.
  • The leader sought to unify the divided factions.
• Unification (noun): The process of being unified.
  • The unification of Germany occurred in the 19th century.
• Unionize (verb): To form or become a member of a labor union.
  • The workers decided to unionize for collective bargaining.
• Unionism (noun): The principles or system of labor unions; also, support for political union (e.g., in the UK).
  • Trade unionism advocates for workers' rights.

Synonyms

• Alliance: A union or association formed for mutual benefit.
• Coalition: A temporary alliance for combined action.
• Federation: A group of states with a central government but independence in internal affairs.
• Marriage: The formal union of two people as partners.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• To unionize: (As a phrasal verb, this is the standard form meaning to organize into a union).
  • The factory workers voted to unionize. (The factory workers voted to organize a labor union.)

Related Idioms

• Union is strength: A proverb meaning that people are more powerful when they work together.
  • Remember, union is strength; we must present a united front. (Remember, people are more powerful together; we must present a united front.)

Adjective

1. of trade unions
   • the union movement
   • union negotiations
   • a union-shop clause in the contract
2. being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War
   • Union soldiers
   • Federal forces
   • a Federal infantryman

Noun

1. the act of making or becoming a single unit
   • the union of opposing factions
   • he looked forward to the unification of his family for the holidays
2. a device on a national flag emblematic of the union of two or more sovereignties (typically in the upper inner corner)
3. the occurrence of a uniting of separate parts
   • lightning produced an unusual union of the metals
4. a set containing all and only the members of two or more given sets
   • let C be the union of the sets A and B
5. a political unit formed from previously independent people or organizations
   • the Soviet Union
6. healing process involving the growing together of the edges of a wound or the growing together of broken bones
7. the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
   • a long and happy marriage
   • God bless this union
8. the state of being joined or united or linked
   • there is strength in union
9. the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes
   • the casual couplings of adolescents
   • the mating of some species occurs only in the spring
10. the United States (especially the northern states during the American Civil War)
    • he has visited every state in the Union
    • Lee hoped to detach Maryland from the Union
    • the North's superior resources turned the scale
11. an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
    • you have to join the union in order to get a job