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Industrial Workers of the World

American  

noun

  1. an international industrial labor union, considered radical by many, that was organized in Chicago in 1905 and that disintegrated after 1920. I.W.W., IWW


Industrial Workers of the World British  

noun

  1.  IWW.  an international revolutionary federation of industrial unions founded in Chicago in 1905: banned in the US in 1949 See also Wobbly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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In 1905, the Industrial Workers of the World rejected the AFL’s narrow craft unionism, calling for one big union uniting all workers to abolish wage labor.

From The Wall Street Journal

A statewide dragnet for organizers from the Industrial Workers of the World, or Wobblies, ensued, followed by hundreds of arrests.

From Los Angeles Times

On the same day he freed Debs, Harding commuted the sentences of 23 other political prisoners, activists and Industrial Workers of the World union members who spoke out against the war.

From Washington Post

It is set in the early 20th century, chiefly in Spokane, Wash., as the Industrial Workers of the World organized free-speech protests against the gouging practices of employment agents and crew bosses.

From Washington Post

Rednecks organized through the Industrial Workers of the World and the United Mine Workers of America, both of which are still active today.

From New York Times