closed shop

American  

noun

1. a factory, office, or other business establishment in which union membership is a condition of being hired as well as of continued employment.

---

closed shop British  

noun

1. (formerly) an industrial establishment in which there exists a contract between a trade union and the employer permitting the employment of the union's members only Compare open shop union shop

---

closed shop Cultural  

1. Technically, a business in which employees must join a labor union before being hired. This practice is now illegal. The term is used synonymously with union shop.

---

Etymology

Origin of closed shop

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Compare meaning

How does closed-shop compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• open shop vs. closed shop

Example Sentences

It opened bigger stores in luxe shopping districts and closed shops in less attractive locations.

From The Wall Street Journal

You may think this signals a closed shop, but remember who went on to win the Premier League that season...

From BBC

In Newport, some of the closed shops still have the shutters down, but others appear to be back in business.

From BBC

Leaving school at 16, he joined the Financial Times where, much to his annoyance, the operation of the closed shop forced him to join the print union, Natsopa.

From BBC

“Reservation Dogs,” one of the best shows of the 21st century, intentionally closed shop after its third season, as the equally fine “Atlanta” did after its fourth.

From Los Angeles Times