unionize

[ yoon-yuh-nahyz ]

/ ˈyun yəˌnaɪz /

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See synonyms for: unionized on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), un·ion·ized, un·ion·iz·ing.

to organize into a labor union; bring into or incorporate in a labor union.

to subject to the rules of a labor union.

Obsolete. to form into a union.

verb (used without object), un·ion·ized, un·ion·iz·ing.

to join in a labor union.

Obsolete. to form a union.

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Also especially British, un·ion·ise .

Origin of unionize

First recorded in 1835–45; union + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM unionize

un·ion·i·za·tion

[yoon-yuh-nahy-zey-shuhn], /ˌyun yə naɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, nounun·ion·iz·er, nouno·ver·un·ion·ize, verb, o·ver·un·ion·ized, o·ver·un·ion·iz·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unionize in a sentence

If they vote yes, they would be the first Amazon warehouse in the United States to unionize.
Amazon’s anti-union blitz stalks Alabama warehouse workers everywhere, even the bathroom|Jay Greene|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Successfully unionizing even a handful of workers at the biggest and most important American corporations would also be a big win for the labor movement, whose power has been shrinking over the past several decades.
Six things to know about the latest efforts to bring unions to Big Tech|Gerrit De Vynck, Nitasha Tiku, Jay Greene|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
Patrollers at Utah’s Canyons Resort unionized in 2000, though the union was disbanded when the mountain was purchased by Vail Resorts in 2014.
Why Ski Patrollers Are Picketing at Two Vail Resorts|Scott Yorko|January 20, 2021|Outside Online
Meanwhile, the Stevens Pass patrollers who voted to unionize in 2019 have been waiting 21 months to finalize their first contract with Vail, says union president Brianna Hartzell.
Why Ski Patrollers Are Picketing at Two Vail Resorts|Scott Yorko|January 20, 2021|Outside Online

Additionally, New Mexico’s independently owned Taos Ski Valley attempted to unionize in 2015.
Why Ski Patrollers Are Picketing at Two Vail Resorts|Scott Yorko|January 20, 2021|Outside Online
The reason: activist government and unionized government often work at cross purposes.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats|Daniel DiSalvo|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today, private sector unionized workers are not even ten percent of the work force.
The GOP and Police Unions: A Love Story|Eleanor Clift|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Consider the October 2013 strike by unionized Bay Area Rapid Transit employees in California.
Why Progressives Shouldn’t Support Public Workers Unions|Dmitri Mehlhorn|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But reform had a darker side: the state put into unemployment 7,500 unionized teachers, who lost their health coverage.
Eight Years After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Has Been Resurrected|Jason Berry|August 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Some unionized railway workers were guaranteed lifetime pay and only had to work a few hours a month.
Bay Area Subway Strike Re-Ignites the Feud Between Unions and Silicon Valley|Gregory Ferenstein|July 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She was slightly unionized, but not in the least abolitionized.
Miss Ravenel's conversion from secession to loyalty|J. W. de Forest
In seeking work he was limited to such occupations as had not yet been unionized.
The Walking Delegate|Leroy Scott
We aren't unionized, Kathleen, but the 'Imperial' is one of the best shops in the city; all the girls say so.
The Shadow|Mary White Ovington
Not obey the boss, when they already felt an endless stream trickling down their unionized gullets?
H. R.|Edwin Lefevre
Employment in unionized industries strengthened their position in the postwar labor movement.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965|Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for unionize

unionize

unionise

/ (ˈjuːnjəˌnaɪz) /

verb

to organize (workers) into a trade union

to join or cause to join a trade union

(tr) to subject to the rules or codes of a trade union

to join or become joined in marriage or civil partnership

Derived forms of unionize

unionization or unionisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012