European Union

American  

[yoor-uh-pee-uhn yoon-yuhn, yur‐] / ˈjʊər əˌpi ən ˈjun jən, ˈjɜr‐ /

noun

1. an association of European nations formed in 1993 for the purpose of achieving political and economic integration. Incorporating the European Community, the European Union's member states are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In 2016 the United Kingdom voted by referendum to withdraw from membership in the European Union.

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European Union British  

noun

1.  EU.  an organization created in 1993 with the aim of achieving closer economic and political union between member states of the European Community. The current members are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK

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European Union Cultural  

1. A political union, often called the EU, to which the member states of the EEC are evolving. Based on the Maastricht Treaty, it envisions the eventual establishment of common economic, foreign, security, and justice policies. The extent to which this goal will be achieved is still in doubt and occasions deep divisions in some member states, especially Great Britain. The members of the EU are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. Several nations, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Turkey, are seeking membership.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

European Union

Before its services can run, Virgin still needs to procure a rolling stock of trains for the route, gain access to other rail networks and obtain safety approvals from British and European Union authorities.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

Observer missions, including the European Union, called on parties to tone down inflammatory statements ahead of final results, due on Monday.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

They include China’s Asian neighbors, including Vietnam and Malaysia, but also major trading partners such as Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Most wealthy Americans, and particularly Californians, are interested in residency in a European nation, which affords someone the ability to live or work in more than two dozen countries in the European Union.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

Only the European Union flag on Vogel's shoulder distinguished him from Lewis and Martinez, who wore the Stars and Stripes.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir