WordGarden.iomembership
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɛmbəʃˌɪp/
US
- /ˈmɛmbərˌʃɪp/
Meanings
Noun
the state of belonging to a group or organization
the members of an organization considered as a group
the property of belonging to a set or class
Beyond the definition
Membership is the state of being part of a group, club, organization, or service. It often means you have been accepted or signed up and now have certain rights, benefits, or duties. Think of joining a library, a gym, or a local club: your membership gives you access, but it also shows that you belong there. Sometimes it is earned, sometimes it is paid for, and sometimes it simply comes from being included in a group.
Membership refers to the state of belonging to a group, organization, club, or service. It often means that a person has officially joined or has been accepted, and it usually comes with certain rights, benefits, responsibilities, or access. We often use the word for formal cases, such as a gym membership, a library membership, or membership in a professional association.
But the idea is broader than a paid card or account. A person can talk about membership in a team, a church, a committee, or an online community. In these cases, the word still points to being part of something larger and sharing in its purpose, rules, or identity. Sometimes membership requires payment or registration. In other cases, it comes through invitation, approval, or active participation.
The word can also refer to all the members of a group taken together. For example, someone might say that a club's membership is growing, meaning the number of people in it is increasing. You might also hear that a decision will be voted on by the full membership, meaning all the members as a whole.
So, whether it describes one person's status or the whole body of members, membership is about being part of a group and the connection, access, and duties that can come with that place.
Examples
- 1
Gym access
I bought a gym membership so I can swim after work.
- 2
Library access
Your library membership lets you borrow books and use the computers.
- 3
Cost
Membership costs $40 a year, but students get a discount.
- 4
Membership card
Please show your membership card at the front desk.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Renewal
She forgot to renew her membership before it expired.
- 6
Cancellation
You can cancel your membership online at any time.
- 7
Joining request
The committee will review his application for membership next week.
- Phraseapplication for membership
request to join
- 8
Member group
The club's membership has grown quickly since it opened a cafe.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- membership fee
- membership card
- membership application
- renew a membership
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- membershipnoun
Forms
- membershipspluralnoun