unionize

[ yoon-yuh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, un·ion·ized, un·ion·iz·ing.

1. to organize into a labor union; bring into or incorporate in a labor union.
2. to subject to the rules of a labor union.
3. Obsolete. to form into a union.

verb (used without object)

, un·ion·ized, un·ion·iz·ing.

1. to join in a labor union.
2. Obsolete. to form a union.

unionize

/ ˈjuːnjəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to organize (workers) into a trade union
2. to join or cause to join a trade union
3. tr to subject to the rules or codes of a trade union
4. to join or become joined in marriage or civil partnership

Derived Forms

• ˌunioniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• un·ion·i·za·tion [yoon-y, uh, -nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• un·ion·iz·er noun
• o·ver·un·ion·ize verb overunionized overunionizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of unionize¹

First recorded in 1835–45; union + -ize

Example Sentences

But foundation tenants say the nonprofit is stopping them from unionizing in its buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

Intimacy coordinators have unanimously elected to unionize under the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

From Los Angeles Times

Olvera fought to unionize Trump’s hotel, with that campaign launching in mid-2015, around the time Trump announced his first candidacy for president.

From Los Angeles Times

Recurring images of a massive barge stacked high with shipping containers send a curiously two-sided message here: Amazon will continue no matter what, but so will efforts to unionize.

From Los Angeles Times

The author is a queer, multiracial writer who took a part-time job at the climbing gym, only to accidentally unionize it.

From Los Angeles Times