Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of being a member: The condition of belonging to or being part of a formal group, organization, or club.
   • The body of members of an organization or group: The collective group of all individuals who belong to a particular organization, considered as a whole.

Usage

• As the state of belonging:
  • Membership in this society requires an annual fee.
  • She applied for membership at the local library.
• As the collective group of members:
  • The entire membership voted on the new proposal.
  • The club's membership has grown significantly this year.

Examples

• State of being a member:
  • His membership in the professional association gives him access to exclusive resources.
  • You need to renew your membership before the end of the month.
• Body of members:
  • The union membership decided to go on strike.
  • The organization consulted its membership before making a major policy change.

Advanced Usage

• "Membership at large": Refers to the general body of members, not a specific subgroup or committee.
  • The decision was put to a vote of the membership at large.
• "Full membership": Indicates complete status with all rights and privileges in an organization.
  • After the probationary period, she was granted full membership.

Variants and Related Words

• Member (n): An individual who belongs to a group or organization.
  • Every member of the team contributed to the project.
• Membership card (n): A card identifying someone as a member.
  • You must show your membership card at the entrance.

Synonyms

• Affiliation: The state of being closely connected or associated with a group.
• Enrollment: The act of registering or entering one's name as a member.
• Roster: A list or register of members.

Related Phrases

• Membership dues/fees: The regular payments required to maintain one's status as a member.
  • He paid his membership dues for the year.
• Membership drive: An organized effort to recruit new members.
  • The association is starting a membership drive next month.

Noun

1. the state of being a member
2. the body of members of an organization or group
   • they polled their membership
   • they found dissension in their own ranks
   • he joined the ranks of the unemployed