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

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

Dubbed Peru's first poor president, Castillo, a former trade unionist and rural schoolteacher, won power in 2021 on a wave of frustration with conventional politics.

From BBC

Independent unionist Claire Sugden is the only unionist representative in the assembly to confirm that she will vote for the motion.

From BBC

The DUP minister was among a number of local unionists politicians who took part in the six-day trip which was organised by the Israeli government.

From BBC