Members
ˈmɛmbərz
Definitions
2 meaningsPeople who belong to a group, organization, or community.
ˈmɛmbərz
People belonging to a group
The members of the orchestra rehearsed for the concert.
💡 Simply: Imagine a club, like a book club or a sports team. The *members* are all the people who are part of that club, and they do things together like read books or play games. The members are the people in the group.
👶 For kids: People in a group.
More Examples
All members are required to attend the annual meeting.
The organization has over 1000 members worldwide.
The members of the team celebrated their victory.
How It's Used
"The club's members voted on the new regulations."
"The company's members are shareholders."
Individual parts or components of a body, organization, or structure.
ˈmɛmbərz
Parts of a body or thing
The athlete carefully stretched his members before the race.
💡 Simply: Think of a machine or a body. The *members* are all the individual parts that make it work. For example, the parts of a car—engine, wheels, and steering wheel—are all members that make the car work.
👶 For kids: Parts of a body or other things
More Examples
The members of the old clock were rusted.
The building's structural members were inspected for safety.
How It's Used
"The doctor examined the patient's members."
"The various members of the machine began to malfunction."
Synonyms
Affiliates
Associates
Body
Constituents
Crew
Followers
Components
Elements
Limbs
Idioms & expressions
member in good standing
A person who fulfills the requirements of an organization and is in good status.
"To retain your benefits, you must remain a member in good standing."
From Middle English membre, from Old French membre, from Latin membrum ('limb, part of the body'). Extended to refer to parts of a group or organization.
Historically used to describe limbs or body parts, expanding to include group affiliations.
Memory tip
Think of the individual *parts* of a whole group.