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

The studio will operate primarily on a membership basis with a limited number of drop-in classes available. —Emily Burns, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025

The future membership store at Willard Hagan Drive on South Hartmann Drive is on track to open in early 2026 without any unforeseen delays, according to a company spokesperson. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2025

Maybach envisions a membership model in which 300 co-owners will each be entitled to four weeks on the yacht (including private suites) per year, as reported by Boat International. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025

Elevate offers memberships, class packages and drop-ins at 5965 Village Way, Suite E 202. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 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