membership

noun

mem·​ber·​ship ˈmem-bər-ˌship 

plural memberships

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

This marks LuPone’s first return to the stage after giving up her Actors’ Equity membership after the run of Company ended in 2022. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2024

Compare that with the Bardo Club, an exclusive social club for locals (who score a membership) and hotel guests (who purchase access as part of a booking). —Katie Kelly Bell, Robb Report, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

membership

noun

mem·​ber·​ship ˈmem-bər-ˌship 

1

: the state or status of being a member

2

: all the members of an organization