Meaning 1
The joining of people or parts into a connected whole.
Reach for it when Naming a bond, alliance, or combination that creates shared strength.
The union of local knowledge and new equipment transformed the rescue service.
Meaning 2
An organized association formed to protect members' shared interests.
Reach for it when Referring specifically to a labor, student, or other membership body.
The union negotiated paid training for every new care worker.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| warm | ||
| professional |
| |
| formal |
| |
| literary |
warm
Fits when cooperation and mutual responsibility are central
Not when may involve only two parties and no merger
warm
Fits when the resulting sense of togetherness matters
Not when does not name the act or structure of joining
professional
Fits when separate parties cooperate toward a goal
Not when members usually retain distinct identities
formal
fusion
Fits when parts combine into something new
Not when too total for a partnership that preserves difference
professional
trade union
Fits when worker representation must be explicit
Not when too narrow for other organized associations
formal
association
Fits when a neutral term for a membership body
Not when does not imply bargaining or collective protection
literary
guild
Fits when craft or professional fellowship is historical or central
Not the general modern term for organized labor
close union
A close union of craft and engineering shaped the new bridge.
labor union
The labor union funded evening language classes.
union members
Union members approved the safety agreement by secret ballot.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Naomi Persephone Amethyst, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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