membership

noun

mem·​ber·​ship ˈmem-bər-ˌship How to pronounce membership (audio)
plural memberships
Synonyms of membershipnext
1
: the state or status of being a member
2
: the body of members
an organization with a large membership
3
mathematics : the relation between an element of a set (see set entry 2 sense 21) or class and the set or class itself compare inclusion sense 3a

Examples of membership in a Sentence

What is the cost of a one-year membership? Membership in the club doubled last year. clubs that are hoping to increase their membership The club has a large membership. clubs that are hoping to increase their memberships
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And in an office building near the county courthouse, Mana is making over existing legal offices and has plans to open a membership club for attorneys next door. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership but the effort has stalled under Vucic, who has close ties with Russia and China. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 So the associate who fumbles a membership conversation doesn’t need a lecture. — Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for membership

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of membership was in 1614

Rhymes for membership

See All Rhymes for membership

Browse Nearby Words

memberless
membership
membership star
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Membership.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/membership. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

membership

noun
mem·​ber·​ship ˈmem-bər-ˌship How to pronounce membership (audio)
1
: the state or status of being a member
2
: all the members of an organization

More from Merriam-Webster on membership

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