European Union

[yoor-uh-pee-uhn yoon-yuhn, yur‐]

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.

European Union

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

European Union

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.

Example Sentences

The European Union could fine Elon Musk's X platform for breaking its digital rules by the end of 2025 -- two years into a probe that has tested the bloc's resolve to police the online space.

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When presenting the proposal, Bulgaria's broad coalition government insisted its "priority" was to "ensure the long-term durability of the public finances" in the European Union's poorest country.

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The tape also exposed strains between the U.S. and Europe over what was happening in Kyiv, with then-Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland expressing frustration at the European Union’s less activist role.

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The European Union's industry chief vowed Wednesday to allow "flexibility" for the region's struggling auto sector, fuelling hopes the bloc could soften a planned 2035 ban on combustion-engine vehicle sales.

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In her speech to European Union lawmakers, von der Leyen said: "I want to be clear from the very outset: Europe will stand with Ukraine and support Ukraine every step of the way."

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