Union
n.kind, resilientformal
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.
Choose between these
4- warm
cooperation and mutual responsibility are central
not when may involve only two parties and no merger
- warm
the resulting sense of togetherness matters
not when does not name the act or structure of joining
- professional
separate parties cooperate toward a goal
not when members usually retain distinct identities
- formal
fusion
parts combine into something new
not when too total for a partnership that preserves difference
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.
Choose between these
3- professional
trade union
worker representation must be explicit
not when too narrow for other organized associations
- formal
association
a neutral term for a membership body
not when does not imply bargaining or collective protection
- literary
guild
craft or professional fellowship is historical or central
not when not the general modern term for organized labor
Said against
3- separation
- division
- management
It naturally appears in
3- 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.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, noun: act or state of being joined opens in a new tab for meaning 1 · retrieved 2026-07-26
- wiktionary, noun: organized association of workers opens in a new tab for meaning 2 · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.