unionism

[ yoon-yuh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. the principle of union, especially trade unionism.
2. attachment to a union.
3. (initial capital letter) loyalty to the federal union of the United States of America, especially at the time of the Civil War.

unionism

/ ˈjuːnjəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the principles of trade unions
2. adherence to the principles of trade unions
3. the principle or theory of any union

Other Words From

• pro·union·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unionism¹

First recorded in 1835–45; union + -ism

Example Sentences

As the writer Marc Levinson shows, brothers George and John Hartford, who had helped found the company in the 19th century, were paternalists who hated trade unionism.

From Washington Post

Given the toxicity of the Conservative “brand” in Scotland, that could prove fatal for unionism.

From The Daily Beast

Even if public sector unionism limps on, in policy terms, the right has already won.

From The Daily Beast

“Terrible shall be the fate of the enemies of Social Unionism” is one of the rhetorical cries of Eugenia.

From The Daily Beast

And hardly a degree less menacing is this gigantic octapus of labor unionism—of inexcusable socialism.

From Project Gutenberg

Land-reform in its earliest stages, like trade unionism in England, was accompanied by disorder.

From Project Gutenberg

I have watched the long struggle of unionism in America and I know the law that has governed all its ups and downs.

From Project Gutenberg

These are the principles of revolutionary unionism, the principles of the international proletariat.

From Project Gutenberg

Of this slavery does revolutionary unionism speak in the name of the revolutionary worker.

From Project Gutenberg