unionism
Americannoun
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the principle of union, especially trade unionism.
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attachment to a union.
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(initial capital letter) loyalty to the federal union of the United States of America, especially at the time of the Civil War.
noun
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the principles of trade unions
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adherence to the principles of trade unions
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the principle or theory of any union
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of unionism
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.
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 • Nov. 30, 2025
In December 1886, Samuel Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor, organizing only skilled workers and focusing on “pure and simple” unionism that rejected state intervention.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025
At their heart will be questions about devolution and unionism, each with the capacity to help mould Northern Ireland's future.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2024
Reacting to news that DUP officers would meet on Friday, Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said "unionism has to do things better" if Stormont returned.
From BBC • Jan. 19, 2024
The place smelled of their beer and hair tonic, their punch-clock misery, their frayed nerves, their trade unionism.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
