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

ˈunionist 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

Following in the footsteps of her grandfather - famed trade unionist Jimmy Reid - she sought a career in politics, and was elected as a Labour councillor in Lewisham in 2014.

From BBC

The Sinn Féin vice-president said she "remained engaged right over the weekend" after Stormont's unionist parties questioned why she had not attended.

From BBC

Aged between 28 and 69, the group included democratically elected lawmakers and district councillors, as well as unionists, academics and others ranging from modest reformists to radical localists.

From Barron's

The statement added that should the party fail to field candidates on the regional list it would allow unionist parties, including Reform, "an easy ride" into parliament.

From BBC

"We will continue the fight to the end," farm trade unionist Costas Tzelas told a crowd of a few thousand at central Syntagma Square, including workers opposed to a new collective bargaining law.

From Barron's