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Teamster: meaning, definitions and examples

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teamster

 

[ ˈtiːmstər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

labor union

A teamster refers to a member of a labor union, particularly one that represents workers in the transportation and freight industries. Historically, teamsters were individuals who drove teams of draft animals, such as horses or oxen, to transport goods. Today, the term is often associated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a major American labor union. Teamsters work to negotiate better working conditions, pay, and benefits for their members, often participating in collective bargaining efforts. The term can also connote a sense of solidarity and organization among laborers on the job.

Synonyms

freight worker, laborer, truck driver, union member

Examples of usage

  • The teamster secured better wages for his peers.
  • She has been a proud teamster for over a decade.
  • Teamsters organized a strike for fair labor practices.
  • The teamster union held a meeting to discuss new contracts.

Translations

Translations of the word "teamster" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sindicalista

🇮🇳 टीमस्टर

🇩🇪 Gewerkschaftsmitglied

🇮🇩 anggota serikat pekerja

🇺🇦 член профспілки

🇵🇱 członek związku zawodowego

🇯🇵 チームスター

🇫🇷 membre de syndicat

🇪🇸 sindicalista

🇹🇷 sendikacı

🇰🇷 팀스터

🇸🇦 عضو نقابة

🇨🇿 člen odborů

🇸🇰 člen odborov

🇨🇳 工会会员

🇸🇮 član sindikata

🇮🇸 sambandsmaður

🇰🇿 кәсіподақ мүшесі

🇬🇪 სინდიკატის წევრი

🇦🇿 sindikada iştirakçı

🇲🇽 sindicalista

Etymology

The word 'teamster' has its origins in the early 19th century, derived from the combination of 'team' and 'ster,' which was an English suffix used to denote a person involved in a specific activity. The term 'team' harks back to Old English 'tēam,' referring to a group of animals harnessed together to pull a load. The 'ster' suffix, common in words describing occupations, adds the sense of a person engaged in that work, essentially meaning one who drives a team of animals. Initially, anyone who worked with horse-drawn vehicles for the purpose of transport could be considered a teamster. As mechanization progressed and the trucking industry emerged, the definition of teamster evolved to encompass those operating motor vehicles in the freight transport sector. Over time, teamsters organized and formed unions to advocate for their rights and improve labor conditions, leading to the formation of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 1903. This union has played a significant role in labor history, highlighting the importance of collective action among workers.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,757, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.