unionist

[ yoon-yuh-nist ]

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.

Unionist

¹

/ 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

adjective

1. of, resembling, or relating to Unionists

ˈunionist

²

/ ˈjuːnjənɪst /

noun

1. a supporter or advocate of unionism or union
2. a member of a trade union

adjective

1. of or relating to union or unionism, esp trade unionism

Derived Forms

• ˌunionˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• union·istic adjective
• pro·union·ist adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unionist¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; union + -ist

Example Sentences

Tinovimbanashe Gwenyaya, a former trade unionist in South Africa, has also seen the power of Twitter first hand.

From Time

After another former general led Labor to defeat in 2003, the party selected trade unionist Amir Peretz before the 2006 elections.

From The Daily Beast

Why should I see any value in disrespecting the unionist community?

From The Daily Beast

His unionist opponents, however, are determined to force a simple, one-question referendum on Salmond: yes or no to independence?

From The Daily Beast

State officers of the Unionist Virginia government were required to take an oath of allegiance to the federal government.

From Project Gutenberg

It's a fact that the Tory total figures out much larger than the Liberal Unionist.

From Project Gutenberg

However, the Unionist Government had decided on their policy, which they were determined to carry through.

From Project Gutenberg

He was now in the comfortable position of a non-unionist in a union shed who had jumped into a sacked man's place.

From Project Gutenberg

For let any Unionist glance round the world outside the British Empire.

From Project Gutenberg