unionist

[ yoon-yuh-nist ]
/ ˈyun yə nɪst /

noun

a person whose activities or beliefs are characterized by unionism.
a member of a trade union.
(initial capital letter) a supporter of the federal union of the United States of America, especially during the Civil War.
British Politics. (formerly) an upholder of the legislative union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Origin of unionist

First recorded in 1790–1800; union + -ist

OTHER WORDS FROM unionist

un·ion·is·tic, adjective pro·un·ion·ist, adjective, noun

Example sentences from the Web for unionist

British Dictionary definitions for unionist (1 of 2)

Unionist
/ (ˈjuːnjənɪst) /

noun

(sometimes not capital)
  1. (before 1920) a supporter of the union of all Ireland and Great Britain
  2. (since 1920) a supporter of union between Britain and Northern Ireland
a supporter of the US federal Union, esp during the Civil War

adjective

of, resembling, or relating to Unionists

British Dictionary definitions for unionist (2 of 2)

unionist
/ (ˈjuːnjənɪst) /

noun

a supporter or advocate of unionism or union
a member of a trade union

adjective

mainly British of or relating to union or unionism, esp trade unionism

Derived forms of unionist

unionistic, adjective