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Zollverein

American  
[tsawl-fer-ahyn, tsawl-fuh-rahyn] / ˈtsɔl fɛrˌaɪn, ˈtsɔl fəˌraɪn /

noun

  1. (in the 19th century) a union of German states for the maintenance of a uniform tariff on imports from other countries, and of free trading among themselves.

  2. any similar union or arrangement between a number of states; customs union.


Zollverein British  
/ ˈtsɔlfɛrˌain /

noun

  1. the customs union of German states organized in the early 1830s under Prussian auspices

"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

Etymology

Origin of Zollverein

1835–45; < German, equivalent to Zoll custom, duty, tariff + Verein union

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.

Built at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the Zollverein mine cemented Germany’s place as a coal behemoth.

From Scientific American

My parents and I drive to the Ruhr’s other crown jewel: the Zollverein.

From Washington Post

The Zollverein coal mine, where he worked in the area of Essen, Germany, was so clogged with coal dust, he remembers, that people would stir up a black cloud whenever they moved.

From Scientific American

Zollverein, like many former mines, is now also home to several businesses.

From Scientific American

Today, the scene at Zollverein is very different.

From Scientific American