Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not converted into ions: Describes a substance, typically a gas or a chemical compound, that exists in a neutral state and has not been electrically charged by gaining or losing electrons.
   • Being a member of or formed into a labor union: Describes workers who are members of a trade union, or a workplace where the employees are represented by a union.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (Not ionized):

  • The chemist analyzed the unionised gas in the sealed chamber.
  • In its unionised form, the molecule is less reactive.

• Adjective (Organized into a union):

  • The factory became fully unionised after the successful vote.
  • She sought a job at a unionised workplace for better job security.

Advanced Usage

• The spelling "unionised" is the standard British English form for both meanings. In American English, the spelling for the labor-related meaning is typically "unionized", while the chemistry-related meaning can be spelled as either "unionized" or "nonionized" to avoid ambiguity.
• The context is crucial for determining the correct meaning. In a discussion about workplace rights, it refers to labor organization. In a scientific text, it refers to electrical charge.

Variants and Related Words

• Unionize (verb, US spelling) / Unionise (verb, UK spelling): To organize or become organized into a labor union.
  • The workers voted to unionize.
• Unionization (noun) / Unionisation (noun): The process of forming or becoming a union.
  • The unionization of the industry led to higher wages.
• Non-unionised (adj) / Non-unionized (adj): Not organized into a labor union.
  • He worked in a non-unionised sector.
• Ionised/Ionized (adj): The opposite state for the chemistry meaning; converted into ions.
  • The ionised particles were attracted to the electrode.

Synonyms

• (For labor meaning): Organized, represented, syndicated (in some contexts).
• (For chemistry meaning): Non-ionic, neutral, uncharged.

Antonyms

• (For labor meaning): Non-union, non-unionized.
• (For chemistry meaning): Ionised/ionized, charged.

Adjective

1. being a member of or formed into a labor union
   • organized labor
   • unionized workers
   • a unionized shop
2. not converted into ions