Origin: Germanic Old English suffix
Membership has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
the body of members of an organization or group
"they polled their membership"
"they found dissension in their own ranks"
"he joined the ranks of the unemployed"
the state of being a member
"After paying the annual fee, I finally secured my membership to the local gym."
The state of being a member of a group or organization.
"Her membership in the local chess club gives her access to weekly tournaments and exclusive practice rooms."
In plain English: Membership is the status of being part of a group or organization.
"His membership in the gym allows him to use all the equipment for free."
Usage: Use membership to describe the status of belonging to an organization or group rather than the specific individuals within it. Ensure you distinguish it from members when referring to the people themselves.
The word membership is formed by adding the suffix -ship to member. This construction follows a common pattern where -ship denotes a state or condition of being something.