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

Doster also offers a membership package for $100 a month that gives customers either 12 juices in 16-ounce bottles, or four half gallons of juice. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Despite all of that engagement, women represent only about 13% of The Fédération Française de Cyclisme members, 15% of USA Cycling’s racing membership and roughly 20% of British Cycling’s. — Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

To take advantage of these deals, sign up for a free Extra Care membership. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026

In response, Masterson used his position as Senate president to strip Steffen of his membership on the Senate tax committee and remove him as vice chair of the Senate commerce committee. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

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