member
MEHM-buh
Member (noun) means a person who belongs to a group, club, organisation, or team. Example: “She has been a member of the local choir for ten years.”
noun
1
A person who belongs to a group, club, organisation, or team.
"She has been a member of the local choir for ten years."
"Only members can vote at the annual meeting."
"Every member of the team received a small medal at the end of the season."
2
A part of something larger, such as a limb of a body or a component of a structure or equation.
"A limb is sometimes called a member of the body."
"The central member of the bridge carries most of the weight."
"In the equation, each member on the left side must be simplified first."
3
In programming, a variable or function that belongs to a class or object.
"You can call a public member function from outside the class."
"Each object stores its own copy of every non-static member variable."
"The class has three private data members."
How to use member
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who belongs to a group, or a part of a larger whole — the meaning depends heavily on context.
Common pairings
member of parliament
club member
founding member
become a member
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Word forms
- Plural
- members
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She has been a _____ of the local choir for ten years.
Etymology
From Old French membre, from Latin membrum ("limb, body part").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonmember
Related words
Rhymes for member
See all rhymes for member →Frequently asked questions
What does “member” mean?
The word “member” means a person who belongs to a group, club, organisation, or team. In plain terms, someone who belongs to a group, or a part of a larger whole — the meaning depends heavily on context.
How do you pronounce “member”?
“Member” is pronounced MEHM-buh (/ˈmɛmbɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “member” in a sentence?
Here is “member” used in a sentence: “She has been a member of the local choir for ten years.”
What part of speech is “member”?
“Member” is a noun.
Where does the word “member” come from?
The word “member” comes from Latin. From Old French membre, from Latin membrum ("limb, body part").
Is “member” a common word?
“Member” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “member” have?
“Member” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who belongs to a group, club, organisation, or team.
What is the difference between a member and a membership?
A member is the person who belongs to a group. Membership is either the state of belonging or the whole body of members taken together. So you are a member, you hold a membership, and 'the membership' can also mean everyone who belongs. One is the individual; the other is the status or the collective.
What is the difference between a member and a participant?
A member belongs to a group on an ongoing basis, often formally, with rights and duties — such as a club member. A participant simply takes part in an activity or event, which may be one-off and involves no lasting membership. You can participate in a workshop without ever becoming a member of the organisation.
What are the different types of member?
Groups often have tiers, such as full members with complete rights, associate members with limited rights, honorary members recognised for their contribution, and life members who belong permanently. Organisations also have founding members and ordinary members. The word carries a formal use too: a Member of Parliament is an elected representative.
What is the opposite of a member?
The opposite of a member is a non-member — someone who does not belong to the group. Depending on context, an outsider, a guest, or a visitor may also stand in contrast to a member. The distinction usually matters because members enjoy rights or access that non-members do not have.
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