First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
member
noun, mem·ber often attributive \ˈmem-bər\
: someone or something that belongs to or is a part of a group or an organization
: a part of a structure (such as a building or a bridge)
: a body part (such as an arm or a leg)
Full Definition of MEMBER
2
: one of the individuals composing a group
3
: a person baptized or enrolled in a church
4
: a part of a whole: as a : a syntactic or rhythmic unit of a sentence : clause b : one of the propositions of a syllogism c : one of the elements of a set or class d : either of the equated elements in a mathematical equation
See member defined for English-language learners
See member defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MEMBER
Middle English membre, from Anglo-French, from Latin membrum; akin to Gothic mimz flesh, Greek mēros thigh
Related to MEMBER
- Synonyms
- building block, component, constituent, factor, ingredient, element
- Antonyms
- whole
Synonym Discussion of MEMBER
part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required <they ran only part of the way>. portion implies an assigned or allotted part <cut the pie into six portions>. piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole <a puzzle with 500 pieces>. member suggests one of the functional units composing a body <a structural member>. division applies to a large or diversified part <the manufacturing division of the company>. section applies to a relatively small or uniform part <the entertainment section of the newspaper>. segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage <the retired segment of the population>. fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off <only a fragment of the play still exists>.
Rhymes with MEMBER
MEMBER Defined for Kids
member
noun mem·ber \ˈmem-bər\
Definition of MEMBER for Kids
1
: someone or something that is part of a group
2
: a part (as an arm or leg) of a person or animal
3
: a part of a structure <A supporting member of the roof gave way.>
Medical Dictionary
member
noun mem·ber \ˈmem-bər\
Medical Definition of MEMBER
Learn More About MEMBER
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up member? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).