noun
member
MEM-ber/ˈmembər/
A distinct component belonging to an organized whole.
The cycling club members wear matching green jerseys and stand together.
Etymology
Latin membrum meant a limb or body part. A member of a group is similarly understood as one constituent of a larger whole, with the group imagined as a body.
In context
the staff member is actually announcing to the rest of the group what they are taking responsibility for
More examples
- Each member of the committee has one vote.
- The bridge's steel members support the weight of passing traffic.
- Seven is a member of the set of odd numbers.
Forms
member · members
membership noun — The state of belonging to a group.
Similar words
- component
- Emphasizes a functional part, especially of a machine or system.
- part
- Broader term that does not require an organized whole.
- participant
- Emphasizes taking part in an activity rather than group membership.