credit union

American  

noun

• credit unions
  plural

1. a cooperative group that makes loans to its members at low rates of interest.

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credit union British  

noun

1. a cooperative association whose members can obtain low-interest loans out of their combined savings

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credit union Cultural  

1. An organization formed by employees of a company or institution to make personal loans at low interest rates to all employees of that company or institution.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• credit unions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of credit union

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

credit union

The credit union risk manager from Virginia tried to talk her way in to buy a magnet, to no avail.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

The detective sought data on phones that were within 150 yards of the credit union within one hour of the late afternoon robbery.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

With a physical check, you usually have more choices: deposit it at your current bank or take it instead to, say, your credit union.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 31, 2026

Mine had their main accounts at the credit union, but their mortgage was through a different bank.

From Salon ● Mar. 24, 2026

A credit union may be organized by any seven or more persons with a share capital the par value of which shall not exceed $25.

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Chester Arthur Phillips

Related Words

• lending institution