What does membership mean?
Membership is the condition of belonging to a group, club, society, or other organization, together with the status and often the privileges that accompany that belonging. The term can refer to an individual's membership in a body, to the rights and benefits attached to it, or collectively to all the people who belong. It is especially common in contexts such as professional associations, political parties, clubs, gyms, libraries, and online communities. The word is generally neutral and useful when the focus is on the relationship between an individual and an organization rather than on the individual alone. Expressions such as “lifetime membership,” “membership fee,” and “membership card” show that it often concerns practical arrangements, including eligibility, cost, and proof of status. Although plural forms such as “memberships” are possible, the word is often treated as a mass or collective noun.
nounThe state of being a member of a group, organization, or society. It can also refer to the rights, benefits, or status associated with belonging to such a group, or collectively to the people who are members.
- The state or status of being a member of a group, society, club, or organization.
- The rights, benefits, or privileges associated with being a member.
- The people who collectively belong to a group or organization, considered as a body.
- The process or fact of being enrolled or admitted as a member.
"Her membership in the library gives her access to a wide range of digital resources."
"Membership is open to anyone who meets the organization's requirements."
"The club's membership includes people from many different professions and backgrounds."
The plural is uncommon but is used when referring to separate memberships, such as memberships in different organizations or different types of membership.
"The company offers several memberships with different levels of access."
Membership turns belonging into a relationship: it is the bridge between one person and the collective they have joined.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does membership come from?
The word was formed in Middle English from member and the suffix -ship, a productive element meaning state, condition, office, or status. Member itself comes through Old French from Latin membrum, originally referring to a part or limb of the body. The development of -ship follows a wider English pattern in which it creates nouns denoting condition or status, as in friendship, partnership, and fellowship.
How membership is actually used
The word is neutral in register and is common in both British and American English. When referring to the body of people belonging to an organization, it is usually a collective noun and generally takes a singular verb, as in “the membership is expanding.”
Easily confused with membership
A member is an individual who belongs to a group, while membership is the state or status of belonging.
Membership refers to belonging to an organization or group, whereas a memorial is an object, event, or monument that commemorates someone or something.