unionism

American  

[yoon-yuh-niz-uhm] / ˈyun yəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the principle of union, especially trade unionism.

2. attachment to a union.

3. (initial capital letter) loyalty to the federal union of the United States of America, especially at the time of the Civil War.

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unionism British  

/ ˈjuːnjəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the principles of trade unions

2. adherence to the principles of trade unions

3. the principle or theory of any union

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Other Word Forms

• prounionism noun

Etymology

Origin of unionism

First recorded in 1835–45; union + -ism

Example Sentences

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

"Rather than working with this injustice, accommodating it, going forward unionism needs to stand united against it."

From BBC

"There's nothing shameful, it doesn't make your unionism any weaker," he added.

From BBC

He cited electoral results which show the overall nationalist vote had not grown in 25 years, but he acknowledged that support for political unionism has dropped in that period.

From BBC

The shifts within unionism is a focus for now, but a major talking point when the dust settles on this election, may well be the performance of Sinn Féin.

From BBC