unionist

American  

[yoon-yuh-nist] / ˈyun yə nɪst /

noun

1. a person whose activities or beliefs are characterized by unionism.

2. a member of a trade union.

3. (initial capital letter) a supporter of the federal union of the United States of America, especially during the Civil War.

4. British Politics. (formerly) an upholder of the legislative union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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Unionist ¹ British  

/ ˈjuːnjənɪst /

noun

1. (sometimes not capital)

   1. (before 1920) a supporter of the union of all Ireland and Great Britain

   2. (since 1920) a supporter of union between Britain and Northern Ireland

2. a supporter of the US federal Union, esp during the Civil War

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adjective

1. of, resembling, or relating to Unionists

unionist ² British  

/ ˈjuːnjənɪst /

noun

1. a supporter or advocate of unionism or union

2. a member of a trade union

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adjective

1. of or relating to union or unionism, esp trade unionism

Other Word Forms

• prounionist adjective
• unionistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of unionist

First recorded in 1790–1800; union + -ist

Example Sentences

"The workers just don't trust their employers anymore," said Rajesh Kumar, a Delhi-based trade unionist.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Next he directed the National League’s fight against the Players’ League, a short-lived unionist outfit that arose in 1890 after a dispute over compensation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Trade unionist Yao Yao, based in the western city of Duekoue, voiced disappointment the state was not doing more to offset "such a dizzying drop".

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Her father Harry West was a unionist MP and leader of the UUP between 1974 and 1979.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

Ray was a staunch trade unionist, a member of the Cape executive and the Communist Party, and the first ANC leader to be arrested in the Defiance Campaign.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela