Reading Theme:
Membership Definition, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：the state of being a member (membership)
membership
/ˈmembərʃɪp/
n.
The state of being an official member of a club, group, or organization.
the state of being a member
➕
/ðə steɪt əv ˈbiːɪŋ ə ˈmembər/
n.
Refers to the formal status of being part of a group, organization, or club, usually with rights and responsibilities.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
member (from Latin 'membrum' meaning limb/part) + -ship (suffix denoting state or condition).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a 'member ship' — a boat that holds all the members together, sailing as one group.
📖 Example
She applied for a library membership to borrow books and use the study rooms.
She applied for a library membership to borrow books and use the study rooms.
🔗 Collocations
apply for membership – to request to become a member
membership fee – the amount of money paid to be a member
lifetime membership – membership that lasts for the entire life of the holder
🔄 Synonyms
affiliation (n.) – the state of being officially attached to an organization
enrollment (n.) – the act of registering as a member
admission (n.) – the process of being allowed to join
🚫 Antonyms
non-membership (n.) – the state of not being a member
exclusion (n.) – the act of preventing someone from joining
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The suffix -ship (Old English -scipe) originally meant 'shape, form, condition.' Membership emerged in the 17th century, reflecting the formalization of group affiliations in clubs and societies during the Enlightenment, emphasizing belonging and rights.
Meaning 2：all the members collectively (membership)
membership
/ˈmembərʃɪp/
n.
All the members of a club, group, or organization considered as a whole.
all the members collectively
➕
/ɔːl ðə ˈmembərz kəˈlektɪvli/
n.
Refers to the entire body of members of a group, considered as a single entity.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The board's decision was approved by a majority vote of the membership.
The board's decision was approved by a majority vote of the membership.
🔗 Collocations
entire membership – all members without exception
membership approval – agreement given by the members as a group
declining membership – the situation where the number of members is decreasing
🔄 Synonyms
constituency (n.) – the body of voters or members represented by a person
fellowship (n.) – a group of people sharing a common interest or purpose
community (n.) – a group of people living in the same place or having a common characteristic
🚫 Antonyms
leadership (n.) – the group of people who lead an organization, as opposed to its members
🌱 Derivatives
membership card (n.) – a card showing a person is a member
Wordbook
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