membership

American  

[mem-ber-ship] / ˈmɛm bərˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the state of being a member, as of a society or club.

2. the status of a member.

3. the total number of members belonging to an organization, society, etc.

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membership British  

/ ˈmɛmbəˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the members of an organization collectively

2. the state of being a member

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Etymology

Origin of membership

First recorded in 1640–50; member + -ship

Example Sentences

Charge for customers’ achievement: Calibrate’s “results money-back promise” offers a 50% refund of its membership fees if members do not lose at least 10% of their weight over 12 consecutive months.

From MarketWatch

"To spare them from the exigencies of the bill should be done on the grounds that membership of this House would allow them to maintain more easily the contacts that help them perform their duties."

From BBC

Martin Bertao, president of College Republicans of America, said the organization deplores antisemitism and disputed the membership of the young man appearing to salute in the photo.

From The Wall Street Journal

The payoff, Mr. Lemann suggests, has been powerful: membership in a community that feels like home.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The membership is too divided on the substantive issues."

From Barron's

Related Words

• enrollment
• participation