Definition

1. Noun:

   • A heavy stick, typically thicker at one end, used as a weapon or tool: A solid object designed for hitting.
   • An association of people united by a common interest or activity: A group that meets regularly for a shared purpose.
   • A building or room used for meetings by such an association: The premises of a club.
   • A playing card of the suit marked with black trefoils (♣): One of the four suits in a standard deck of cards.
   • A nightspot providing entertainment, music, dancing, and often food/drink: A place for socializing and entertainment at night.
   • A piece of sports equipment, especially one used to hit a ball in golf: A specialized stick for a sport.

2. Verb:

   • To hit with a heavy stick or similar object: To strike with force using a club-like instrument.
   • To combine with others for a shared purpose, especially to share costs: To pool resources or efforts collectively.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The police officer carried a club for protection. (A heavy stick used as a weapon)
  • She is a member of the local book club. (An association of people with a shared interest)
  • Let's meet at the yacht club for dinner. (A building used by an association)
  • He played the ace of clubs. (A playing card suit)
  • They went dancing at a jazz club. (A nightspot for entertainment)
  • He selected a wood for his first shot. (A piece of golf equipment)

• Verb:

  • The hunter clubbed the animal to death. (To hit with a heavy object)
  • We all clubbed together to buy her a gift. (To combine money for a common purpose)

Advanced Usage

• "to club together": To combine money or resources with others for a joint effort.

  • The neighbors clubbed together to hire a security guard.

• "in the club" (British informal): To be pregnant.

  • Did you hear she's in the club?

Variants and Related Words

• Clubhouse (n): The building used as the headquarters of a club.

  • The clubhouse has a new swimming pool.

• Clubber (n): A person who frequently goes to nightclubs.

  • He's a regular clubber on the weekend scene.

• Clubbing (n): The activity of going to nightclubs.

  • She enjoys clubbing with her friends.

Synonyms

• Association, society, group (for the noun meaning an organization).
• Cudgel, baton, bludgeon (for the noun meaning a heavy stick).
• Combine, pool, chip in (for the verb meaning to share costs).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Club together: To join with others to contribute money for something.
  • If we all club together, we can afford a better present.

Related Idioms

• Join the club!: An expression of sympathy, indicating the speaker is in the same unfortunate situation.

  • "I failed the test." "Join the club! So did I."

• Club class: A high standard of service, especially on an airline.

  • They traveled club class to New York.

Noun

1. a spot that is open late at night and that provides entertainment (as singers or dancers) as well as dancing and food and drink
   • don't expect a good meal at a cabaret
   • the gossip columnist got his information by visiting nightclubs every night
   • he played the drums at a jazz club
2. a playing card in the minor suit that has one or more black trefoils on it
   • he led a small club
   • clubs were trumps
3. golf equipment used by a golfer to hit a golf ball
4. a building that is occupied by a social club
   • the clubhouse needed a new roof
5. stout stick that is larger at one end
   • he carried a club in self defense
   • he felt as if he had been hit with a club
6. a formal association of people with similar interests
   • he joined a golf club
   • they formed a small lunch society
   • men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today
7. a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
   • each club played six home games with teams in its own division

Verb

1. gather into a club-like mass
   • club hair
2. strike with a club or a bludgeon
3. gather and spend time together
   • They always club together
4. unite with a common purpose
   • The two men clubbed together