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

"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

In July, he had faced criticism from some unionist politicians after more than £800,000 was allocated to gender identity provision in Northern Ireland.

From BBC

In an email to DUP members Robinson said he wanted to "reflect the desire across grassroots unionism to see unionist representatives and their political parties working together to promote the union".

From BBC

The Good Friday Agreement brought unionists and Sinn Féin together in government at Stormont for the first time.

From BBC

She told the court three unionist councillors raised concerns about the process at the meeting.

From BBC