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

Rabbi Bleich says synagogues often have membership requirements. —Sarah Ventre, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025

The 25-year-old regularly trades tips with fellow enthusiasts through Discord and bought a membership to sports data platform Bookie Beats to help level up his bets. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025

In May 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring that Palestinians qualify for full UN membership status. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025

Both Underdog and PrizePicks have membership pending with the National Futures Association following applications filed earlier this year. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for membership

• authorship
• battleship
• censorship
• chairmanship
• chieftainship
• comradeship
• consulship
• craftsmanship
• dealership
• draftsmanship
• fellowship
• fingertip

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