Membership is the state of belonging to a group, organization, or club. When you have membership in something, you're officially part of it and get whatever benefits or responsibilities come with being a member.

Some memberships are free and easy to join, like becoming a member of your school's chess club or art society. Others require paying dues: your family might have a membership at a gym, museum, or swimming pool, which lets you use those places throughout the year. Professional organizations, like the American Medical Association for doctors, offer membership to people in specific careers.

Membership often comes with special privileges. A library membership lets you check out books. A membership card at a store might give you discounts. Being a member of a team means you can play in games and wear the uniform.

The word can also describe all the members together, as in “The club's membership voted to meet on Tuesdays.” In this sense, membership means the entire group of people who belong.

Different memberships mean different things. Some are just about access to services, while others create real communities where members support each other and work toward shared goals. The value of any membership depends on what you put into it and what the group stands for.