unionist
Americannoun
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a person whose activities or beliefs are characterized by unionism.
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a member of a trade union.
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(initial capital letter) a supporter of the federal union of the United States of America, especially during the Civil War.
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British Politics. (formerly) an upholder of the legislative union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
noun
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(sometimes not capital)
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(before 1920) a supporter of the union of all Ireland and Great Britain
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(since 1920) a supporter of union between Britain and Northern Ireland
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a supporter of the US federal Union, esp during the Civil War
adjective
noun
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a supporter or advocate of unionism or union
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a member of a trade union
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of unionist
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.
At a news conference at Stormont on Monday, she said she was "hugely honoured and excited" to take up the role and become the first female unionist MLA for the constituency.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 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
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 • Mar. 2, 2026
The rumor in the village was that before he joined the Force and grew his mustache, he was a trade unionist.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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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.