trade union

American  

noun

trade unions plural

1. a labor union of craftspeople or workers in related crafts, as distinguished from general workers or a union including all workers in an industry.

2. labor union.

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trade union British  

noun

1. an association of employees formed to improve their incomes and working conditions by collective bargaining with the employer or employer organizations

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• trade unionism
  noun
• trade unionist
  noun
• trade-union
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• trade unions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of trade union

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Tzagorakis, who is also an Usdaw trade union representative, watched the debate and spoke to MPs and the BBC afterwards.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

The demonstrations began in early May with trade union demands for salary increases, stable fuel supplies and sounder economic management.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

In 2025, inflation soared to 20 percent, prompting the country's largest trade union COB to demand a wage increase of the same percentage.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

A politician for the area said "the vulnerability very much lies at the Coleraine campus" while a trade union representative said there are fears it is "an easy target" for financial savings.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Often used for trade union meetings, the huge domed theater had been modified for the match.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady