union

un|ion [ `junjən ] noun ***

▸ 1 organization

▸ 2 group of states etc.

▸ 3 joining/being joined

▸ 4 marriage

▸ 5 sex

1. ) count an organization that represents the workers in a particular industry and tries to improve pay, conditions, etc.:

We encourage all employees to join a union.

the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union

government attempts to reduce the power of the unions

a ) only before noun belonging to or connected with a union:

union members/officials/representatives

b ) an organization or club for people or groups that share an interest or aim, for example protecting the rights of particular groups:

the American Civil Liberties Union

=> LABOR UNION

2. ) union or Union count a group of states or countries that join together:

the European Union

a ) a group of states or countries under the control of one government:

the former Soviet Union

b ) the Union the Northern States of the U.S. during the American Civil War

3. ) singular or uncount the process of joining things or people together

a ) the state of being joined together:

union with: Their aim is closer political and economic union with Europe.

4. ) count or uncount FORMAL the process of getting married, or the state of being married

5. ) count or uncount VERY FORMAL the activity of having sex