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

See Examples For:

trade union

“We have demanded more agents and more resources for many years,” said Rachid Sbihi, the spokesman for the trade union representing the civilian police force in Ceuta.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

She went on to work in higher education and then at a national trade union, leading on social care.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

After a lawsuit by the Verdi trade union two years ago, a court banned automated shops that operate without personnel from opening on Sundays.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

In this scenario, a ballot would take place among party members and affiliated trade union supporters between 6 and 27 August to decide the winner.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Typically the subject was a well-to-do immigrant supporting some potential insurgency in his old land, or else funding a fledgling trade union or radical student organization.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee