labor union

American

noun

an organization of wage earners or salaried employees for mutual aid and protection and for dealing collectively with employers; trade union.

labor union Cultural

An organization of workers formed to promote collective bargaining with employers over wages, hours, fringe benefits, job security, and working conditions.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

labor unions

plural

Etymology

Origin of labor union

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Szijjarto said some employment agencies will be allowed to import skilled labour under strict conditions.

From Reuters • Jul. 8, 2021

Ms Gillard, who, as Australia's first woman PM, was in power from 2010 to 2013, said female leaders had to labour under the stereotype that they should appear "empathetic and nurturing".

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2016

Only three countries—Iran, Sudan and Syria—currently labour under that badge of dishonour, which is imposed after lengthy official review.

From Economist • Sep. 29, 2016

Gill denies that United, following a trophyless season, labour under a handicap.

From The Guardian • May 17, 2012

In entering upon this topic, of course I shall labour under a great disadvantage, because I am unacquainted with legal technicalities and cases.

From The Trial of Henry Hetherington by Hetherington, Henry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023