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.
That same month, Arkansas Blue Cross eliminated 75 jobs — 2% of its workforce — amid rising costs, declining membership and rising demand for services. — John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2026 Access to the centre will be app-based and similar to a gym membership, open 24 hours and subject to weekly or monthly payments. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Versant has also rebooted its free Fandango streaming offering, and is launching new products for CNBC alongside MS NOW’s membership program. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 The incident has also caused diplomatic issues within the European Union (EU), with anti-immigration leaders such as Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni calling for Spain’s membership of the Schengen visa-free travel area to be suspended. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 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 7 Sep. 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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