credit union

American  

noun

• credit unions
  plural

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

---

credit union British  

noun

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

---

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.

---

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

She found a job with a credit union on her own shortly after.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

You also have to qualify for membership in the credit union itself, which can be determined by where you live or work.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 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

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