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.

---

membership British  

/ ˈmɛmbəˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the members of an organization collectively

2. the state of being a member

---

Etymology

Origin of membership

First recorded in 1640–50; member + -ship

Example Sentences

Starting on May 1, the cost of a Sam’s Club membership will increase to $60 a year, from $50 previously.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Though their national organization doesn’t publish its membership list, media and other tracking show there are at minimum dozens of these like-minded lawmen across the country, likely closely watching Riverside County.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

"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 • Mar. 27, 2026

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 • Mar. 26, 2026

There is some likelihood that Lawrence had heard about it too, in which case he would have known that Frank Oppenheimer s repeated denials of party membership were false.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• enrollment
• participation