Mitglied

Mitglied is a German noun meaning a person who belongs to a group, organization, or body. It is used for individuals who participate in clubs, associations, political parties, churches, companies, or other organized entities. A member may have rights and duties defined by the organization’s statutes, such as voting rights or eligibility for office. The abstract concept of belonging is expressed by the noun membership, German: Mitgliedschaft. Related terms include membership fees (Mitgliedsbeitrag) and honorary membership (Ehrenmitgliedschaft).

Etymology: The word derives from Middle High German mitglied, formed from mit “with” and glied “limb” or “member.” Historically it described a part of a body and later came to denote a person belonging to a group or organization.

Declension and forms: The noun is neuter, with plural die Mitglieder. Common related forms are das Mitglied (singular), die Mitglieder (plural), die Mitgliedschaft (membership), der Mitgliedsbeitrag (membership fee), and Ehrenmitglied (honorary member). In many contexts, compounds specify status, such as Vollmitglied (full member) or Ehrenmitglied.

Usage in contexts: In politics and international relations, das Mitgliedstaat refers to a member state of an organization such as the European Union or the United Nations. In everyday language, one speaks of becoming a Mitglied of a club, remaining a Mitglied, or leaving by exiting the organization (aus dem Verein austreten).

See also: The term is widely used across organizational, political, and legal contexts to denote eligibility, participation, and formal affiliation within a structured group.