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.

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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

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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.

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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

OnMoney closed shop shortly thereafter, and in 2026 there is no website at that address.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Hundreds of hedge funds closed shop, and the number of fund liquidations started exceeding the number of new launches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026

“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 • Sep. 5, 2024

Their rise under Emery will also give hope to those fearing the top four will always be a closed shop, following on from Newcastle United’s example last season in gatecrashing the so-called established order.

From BBC • May 13, 2024

The Pondicherry Zoo closed shop at just the right time.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel