member
/ˈmembə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmembər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmem-bər/ (ame, mw)
member — noun
- membersingular
- membersplural
1. Someone or something counted as part of a larger group — for instance, a family,
Someone or something counted as part of a larger group — for instance, a family, a species, a club, or a society.
Ezra is the tallest member of his family, even taller than his father.
member of + family
The whale is a member of the mammal group and breathes air like humans do.
member of + biological category
Folake was the only female member of the research team at the university laboratory.
Every member of the audience clapped when the singer finished her final song.
A house cat is a member of the same animal family as lions and tigers.
- part
More general than 'member'; refers to any piece of a whole, not necessarily a belonging entity.
- component
More technical; suggests a part that combines with others to form a system or machine.
- constituent
More formal; often used for the parts that make up a political body or a chemical substance.
- element
Suggests a fundamental or basic part of a larger set or system; common in science.
文法句型
member of + group/noun phrase
2. A person who has officially joined a club, organization, or team and takes part
A person who has officially joined a club, organization, or team and takes part in its activities, often by paying money or completing a registration process.
Ishaan became a member of the chess club after winning his first tournament.
become a member of [club]
The yoga studio offers cheaper rates for members who pay every month.
Élise signed up as a member of the local music society last spring.
Mauricio has been a gym member for three years and now trains new people.
Only members of the library can borrow books after eight o'clock in the evening.
- participant
Focuses on taking part in an activity rather than formal belonging to a group.
- fellow
Often used for members of a learned society or academic institution; more formal.
- associate
Suggests a lower level of membership or affiliation, often with fewer privileges.
- non-member
A person who does not belong to a particular club or organization.
文法句型
member of + organization/club
become a member
sign up as a member
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 1 (PART OF A GROUP) because it focuses on voluntary, formal joining — the person typically fills out a form, pays a fee, or receives a membership card. Sense 1 covers natural or passive belonging, such as being part of a family or species.
常見錯誤
3. Any limb of a human or animal body, such as an arm or leg, which extends outward
Any limb of a human or animal body, such as an arm or leg, which extends outward from the torso and is used for moving around or holding things.
The medical report noted swelling in the patient's lower left member.
formal medical usage — lower member
In old anatomy books, the upper member contains bones called the humerus and radius.
The horse injured its front member during the race and could not continue.
After falling off his mountain bike, Mert injured his lower right member and needed treatment.
文法句型
upper member
lower member
affected member
用法筆記
This is a formal or technical term for a limb. In modern everyday English, speakers strongly prefer the words 'arm' or 'leg'. It appears mainly in medical writing, historical texts, or formal anatomical descriptions. Frequently used with modifiers such as 'upper member' (arm) or 'lower member' (leg).
常見錯誤
4. A formal or euphemistic word for the male sexual organ, used especially in older
A formal or euphemistic word for the male sexual organ, used especially in older or official texts to avoid saying the direct term.
In Victorian medical texts, the male member was described using indirect language.
formal euphemistic register — male member
The ancient Greek statue had its male member broken off many centuries ago.
The court document referred to the injury of the male member in clinical terms.
In older legal documents, the term male member appears in descriptions of physical injuries.
文法句型
male member
用法筆記
This is a euphemistic and formal substitute for the standard word 'penis'. It appears mainly in older literature, legal documents, medical reports, and formal discussions. In modern casual conversation, 'penis' is the standard neutral term. Learners should be aware of this meaning for reading comprehension but use caution when speaking — using 'member' this way may sound old-fashioned or overly clinical.