Union: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used when talking about the joining together of people, organizations, or countries for a common purpose.

• The labor union negotiated better working conditions for its members
• The political union between the two nations strengthened their influence

Typically refers to mixing different elements, substances, or ideas to create something new.

• The recipe calls for a combination of spices to achieve the perfect flavor
• Her unique combination of skills makes her an excellent candidate for the job

Commonly employed to describe the process of blending companies, departments, or other entities into a single entity.

• The two tech companies decided to merge to compete more effectively
• Traffic will merge from three lanes to two ahead

Used when talking about a point where two or more things meet or cross, often in the context of roads or railway lines.

• The highway junction is always busy during rush hour
• The train station sits at the junction of the main lines

Use this word when referring to a group of workers or organizations joined together for a common purpose, often related to labor rights or political movements.

• The workers' union organized a strike to demand better working conditions.
• Several countries formed a union to tackle climate change together.

This term is best used for groups of people or organizations that come together for a specific purpose, usually professional, social, or cultural.

• She joined the teachers' association to connect with other educators.
• The neighborhood association meets once a month to discuss community issues.

Use 'guild' to describe historical or medieval groups of artisans or tradespeople who come together to protect their interests or maintain standards in their craft. It can also refer to modern professional groups in some sectors.

• The stonemasons' guild was very influential in medieval Europe.
• He is a member of the writers' guild, which helps protect authors' rights.

This word is often associated with an alliance of individuals or organizations formed to conduct a specific business or criminal activity. It usually has a somewhat negative or secretive connotation.

• The press syndicate distributed the news articles to various newspapers.
• The police uncovered a crime syndicate involved in illegal smuggling.

Used when referring to a formal group of people who have come together for a common purpose, often in labor or politics.

• The workers formed a union to negotiate better wages.
• The union of different political parties helped win the election.

Typically used in a business context to describe the combining of two or more companies into a single entity.

• The merger of the two companies created a market leader.
• The banking sector has seen several major mergers in recent years.

Best used in scientific, artistic, or culinary contexts when different elements are combined to create something new.

• The restaurant offers a unique fusion of Asian and European cuisine.
• Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the stars.

Appropriate when talking about an agreement or partnership between groups or nations to work together for mutual benefit, especially in politics or war.

• The countries formed an alliance to combat the common enemy.
• The alliance between the two tech giants led to groundbreaking innovations.