member

Member is a noun that denotes a person or thing that belongs to a larger group, organization, or set. Members are individuals or objects that form part of a collective, such as a club, association, team, committee, family, or community. The term is used in everyday language and in formal contexts to indicate current affiliation, status, or eligibility within a group. Membership implies rights, duties, or privileges associated with belonging.

In politics and governance, a member often refers to a person who holds a seat in a deliberative body, for example a Member of Parliament (MP) or a member of a city council. In corporate or non-profit structures, members may participate in decision-making, elect leaders, or receive reports and communications. Membership is often governed by bylaws or statutes, and membership lists are used for organization administration and representation.

In mathematics and computer science, a member (or element) is an object contained in a set. The relation "is a member of" is denoted by the symbol ∈. In programming and data modeling, a member can also refer to a component or field of a composite object, such as a class member variable or structure member, representing a distinct attribute or subcomponent.

Etymology: member derives from Old French membre and Latin membrum, meaning part of the body, limb, or component. The sense has broadened to include any part or constituent of a larger whole. Related terms include membership, belonging, and affiliation.