labor union

noun

: an organization of workers formed for the purpose of advancing its members' interests in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions
… members of a labor union with job protection under a collective bargaining agreement with the employer.—Seth Sandronsky

Examples of labor union in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unions also rely on CEQA Arguments over how unions engage with CEQA are not new — its critics have long complained that labor unions are taking advantage of the environmental law. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Flint’s opponent is Sam Forstag, a Democratic labor union leader and Forest Service smokejumper, a specialized firefighter who gets to fires by aircraft and parachute. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Flint's opponent is Sam Forstag, a Democratic labor union leader and Forest Service smokejumper, a specialized firefighter who gets to fires by aircraft and parachute. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Kimetra Lewis, the president of the Dallas branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers labor union, said concerns involving training records extended beyond Dallas. — Ginger Allen, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for labor union

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of labor union was in 1849

Rhymes for labor union

See All Rhymes for labor union

Browse Nearby Words

labor under a delusion/misapprehension/misconception
labor union
Labouchère
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Labor union.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labor%20union. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

labor union

noun
: an organization of workers formed to protect the rights and advance the interests of its members concerning wages, benefits, and working conditions

Legal Definition

labor union

noun
: a labor organization usually consisting of workers of the same trade that is formed for the purpose of advancing its members' interests (as through collective bargaining) in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions see also craft union, bargaining unit

Note: Labor unions and employers are subject to the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or Wagner Act), as amended by the Labor Management Relations (Taft-Hartley) Act and the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure (Landrum-Griffin) Act. The NLRA authorized the establishment of the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency which administers the provisions of the Act.

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