club

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club [noun] (GROUP)

an organization of people with a common purpose or interest, who meet regularly and take part in shared activities

US /klʌb/ 
UK /klʌb/ 
Example: 

We had lunch at the golf club

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 a group of people who do something together, or the place where they meet:
I belong to the golf club.

2 (also nightclub) a place where people, especially young people, go and listen to music, dance, etc.

3 a heavy stick with one thick end, used as a weapon

4 a long thin stick that is used for hitting a ball when playinggolf (= a game played on grass in which you hit a small ball into a number of holes) Look at the note at bat.

4 clubs (plural) the group of playing cards (called a suit) that have the shape (below) on them:
the three of clubs

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

club

I. club1 S1 W1 /klʌb/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old Norse; Origin: klubba 'heavy stick']
1. FOR AN ACTIVITY OR SPORT
a) [also + plural verb British English] an organization for people who share a particular interest or enjoy similar activities, or a group of people who meet together to do something they are interested in
rugby/golf/squash etc club
Our chess club really needs new members.
club for
a club for unemployed young people
It costs £15 to join the club.
She belongs to a local health club.
b) the building or place where the members of a particular club meet or play sport:
We could have dinner at the golf club. ⇨ ↑country club, ↑fan club, ↑youth club
2. PROFESSIONAL SPORT [also + plural verb British English] especially British English a professional organization including the players, managers, and owners of a sports team:
Manchester United Football Club
3. FOR DANCING/MUSIC a place where people go to dance, listen to music, and meet socially:
a jazz club
Shall we go to a club?
I’m not into the club scene at all.
4. TRADITIONAL MEN’S CLUB especially British English
a) an organization, traditionally for men only, which provides a comfortable place for its members to relax, eat, or stay the night:
I always stay at my London club.
b) the building where this organization is based
5. book/record/wine etc club an organization which people join to buy books, records, wine etc cheaply
6. GOLF (also golf club) a long thin metal stick used in golf to hit the ball
7. WEAPON a thick heavy stick used to hit people
8. IN CARD GAMES
a) clubs one of the four ↑suits (=types of cards) in a set of playing cards, which has the design of three round black leaves in a group together
ten/king etc of clubs
the ace of clubs
b) a card from this suit:
You have to play a club.
9. in the club British English old-fashioned if a woman is in the club, she is going to have a baby – used humorously SYN pregnant
10. join the club (also welcome to the club American English) spoken used after someone has described a bad situation that they are in, to tell them that you are in the same situation:
‘He never listens to me.’ ‘Join the club.’
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ types of club
a football/tennis/golf etc club There’s a football club for the young people in the area.
a sports club Why don’t you join one of the school sports clubs?
a youth club (=for young people) The youth club is on Thursday nights in the village hall.
a social club (=where you meet people and talk) Older people may benefit from joining a social club.
a health club (=where you go to do physical exercise) The hotel has its own health club with saunas, solarium and work-out equipment.
a fan club (=for people who like a particular team, band, person etc) I used to be a member of the Take That fan club.
a country club (=a sports and social club, usually in the countryside) Ted was a member of an exclusive country club.
■ verbs
join a club I decided to join the computer club.
belong to a club Do you belong to any university clubs or societies?
form a club (=start one) It’s always possible to form your own club.
run a club (=organize one) My Dad helps to run the rowing club.
a club welcomes somebody (=is happy to accept new members) The chess club welcomes both beginners and experienced players.
■ club + NOUN
a club member/member of a club There’s a monthly magazine for club members.
club membership Club membership costs £300 per year.
a club chairman/president Reg took over as club chairman three years ago,
a club secretary For further information about membership, contact the club secretary.
a club official (=someone with a position of authority in the club) At this meeting we will elect new club officials.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

club

 

 

club [club clubs clubbed clubbing] noun, verb   [klʌb]    [klʌb] 

 

noun  

 

FOR ACTIVITY/SPORT
1. countable + singular or plural verb (especially in compounds) a group of people who meet together regularly, for a particular activity, sport, etc
a golf/tennis, etc. club
a chess/film/movie, etc. club
to join/belong to a club
• The club has/have voted to admit new members.

see also  fan club, youth club

2. countable the building or rooms that a particular club uses
We had lunch at the golf club.
• the club bar

see also  country club, health club

3. countable + singular or plural verb (BrE) a professional sports organization that includes the players, managers, owners and members

• Manchester United Football Club  

 

MUSIC/DANCING

4. countable a place where people, especially young people, go and listen to music, dance, etc
a jazz club
• the club scene in Newcastle

see also  clubbing, nightclub, strip club  

 

SOCIAL

5. countable + singular or plural verb (especially in Britain) an organization and a place where people, usually men only, can meet together socially or stay

• He's a member of several London clubs.  

 

SELLING BOOKS/CDS

6. countable an organization that sells books, CDs, etc. cheaply to its members
• a music club

see also  book club  

 

WEAPON

7. countable a heavy stick with one end thicker than the other, that is used as a weapon

see also  billy club  

 

IN GOLF

 

8. countable =  golf club  

IN CARD GAMES
9. clubs plural, uncountable one of the four sets of cards (called suits) in a pack of cards. The clubs have a black design shaped like three black leaves on a short stem

• the five/queen/ace of clubs

10. countable one card from the suit called clubs
I played a club.
more at join the club at  join  v.  
Word Origin:
n. senses 1 to 6 and v. sense 2 early 17th cent. club
n. senses 7 to 10 and v. sense 1 Middle English Old Norse clubba klumba clump
 
Culture:
clubs and societies
Many people in Britain and the US belong to at least one club or society. Club is often used to refer to a group of people who regularly meet together socially or take part in sports. Most young people’s groups are called clubs. A society is usually concerned with a special interest, e.g. birdwatching or local history, and sends newsletters or magazines to its members. National societies, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, usually have local branches.
Social clubs have a bar where members can sit and talk to each other. Members of the upper class or business people may belong to a gentlemen's club. Most of these are in London and even today only some of them allow women to be members. They are places to relax in, but also to make business contacts and take clients. Freemasonary attracts business and professional men who may join a lodge (= branch) in their home town. Masons are sometimes accused of giving unfair advantages to other Masons in business, etc.
Some clubs combine social events with community service. Members of the Rotary Club, the Round Table, the Kiwanis and the Lions Club are usually professional or business people. In the US these organizations are called service clubs. Some are open only to men. They hold events to raise money for good causes, e.g. to provide scholarships for university students or to raise money for a hospital.
In Britain, working men’s clubs were set up for men doing manual jobs. The clubs offer a range of entertainment, such as comedians or darts matches, as well as a bar. In recent years some clubs have decided to admit women. In the US there are clubs based on ethnic origin, religion or military background. For example, the Knights of Columbus is a club for Roman Catholic men. People who have served in the armed forces join the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion. The British Legion is a similar organization for former British servicemen.
In Britain, the Women's Institute and the Townswomen’s Guild began with the aim of improving women’s education. Both now organize social and cultural activities.
Nightclubs, often called simply clubs, are places where mainly young people meet to drink and dance. They charge admission fees rather than a subscription. Fees are higher at weekends and in large cities, especially London.
Many sports clubs hold parties and arrange social events, as well as providing facilities for various sports. Golf clubs are often expensive to join, and there is often a long waiting list. Other sports clubs include those for squash, tennis, cricket, bowls, snooker and cycling. Many clubs own their own sports ground and clubhouse with a bar. Most towns also have gyms or fitness clubs. In Britain, sports and social clubs are run by some big companies for their employees and in the US most sports clubs are associated with companies. Softball and basketball teams play against teams from other companies in the same city.
Country clubs are found in green areas near cities all over the US. They offer sports like swimming, golf and tennis, and hold dances and other social events in the restaurants and bars. The oldest and most famous country club was established in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1882.
Many Americans belong to the alumni club of the college or university they attended. Members take part in social activities and raise money for the university.
Some students join Greek societies, societies named with Greek letters, e.g. Alpha Epsilon Pi. Fraternities are for men, and sororities are for women. Most Greek societies are social organizations and their members, who usually come from rich families, live in a fraternity or sorority house. After they leave university, many members continue to be active in the organization. There are also honor societies for outstanding students, which also have Greek letters in their names. Phi Beta Kappa is the most famous of these. Some are for students in a particular subject, for example Psi Chi is for students in psychology. In Britain, schools, colleges and universities have societies for former students, often called old boys’ or old girls’ associations.
In most towns there are local societies for many interests, including singing, drama, film, folk music, archaeology, natural and local history and photography. Local branches of national societies, such as the National Trust in Britain and the Audubon Society in the US, organize events in their area. Only a small proportion of members attend local events, and most people join these societies because they support their aims.
Clubs are an important feature of school life, especially in the US. They include clubs for science, drama and music, as well as language clubs. Outside school, children can join a local youth club, Scouts or Girl Guides, or another youth organization. 
Thesaurus:
club noun
1. C+sing./pl. v.
He joined the local drama club.
societyassociationorganization
form/set up/belong to/join a/an club/society/association/organization
a/an club/society/association/organization meets
a member of a/an club/society/association/organization
Club, association or society? These words are all used for groups of people who have a shared interest or purpose. Often, but not always, a club relates to leisure interests, a society to academic interests, and an association to professional interests. A club can be quite informal.
2. C (BrE)
a Premier League football club
teamsquadline-up|BrE side
a football/rugby/cricket club/team/squad/side
a/an Irish/French club/team/squad/side
the England/Ireland team/squad/side/line-up
a club/team/side plays/wins/loses (a game/match)
Club, team or side? Club refers to the organization that includes players, owner and manager; team and side usually refer just to the players, often at a particular time
This team is arguably even better than the Welsh side of the seventies.
 
Example Bank:
She belongs to a book club.
She plays at the local tennis club.
Who runs the tennis club?
a new style of music on the London club scene
members of an exclusive club
one of the top football clubs in the country
Anderson took over as club captain.
Anyone interested in umpiring matches should contact the club chairman.
Athletico Madrid Football Club
Fan club members can get concert tickets at a discount.
He is expected to sign for a Premier League club next season.
I belong to a book club which meets once a month.
I wrote a letter of complaint to the club secretary.
She gives talks at local schools and youth clubs.
Wilkins makes his long awaited debut for his new club.
Idiom: in the club

Derived: club together 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

club / klʌb / noun (GROUP)

A2 [ C , + sing/pl verb ] an organization of people with a common purpose or interest, who meet regularly and take part in shared activities:

I've just joined the local golf/squash/tennis club.

Visitors must be accompanied by club members .

B1 [ C , + sing/pl verb ] a team:

The Orioles are an exciting club this year.

Stockport County Football Club

[ C ] a building in which a club meets

 

club / klʌb / noun [ C ] (DANCE)

B1 a place that people go to in order to dance and drink in the evening:

I went to that new club that's just opened.

→  Synonym nightclub

 

club / klʌb / noun [ C ] (GOLF)

a long, thin stick used in golf to hit the ball:

a set of golf clubs

See picture club

See picture sports 1

 

club / klʌb / noun [ C ] (WEAPON)

a heavy stick used as a weapon

See picture club

 

club / klʌb / noun (CARD)

clubs [ plural or U ] one of the four suits in playing cards, which has one or more black symbols with three round leaves:

the three/King of clubs

[ C ] a playing card from the suit of clubs:

Now you have to play a club if you have one.

See picture club

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

club

[klʌ̱b]
 
 clubs, clubbing, clubbed

 1) N-COUNT A club is an organization of people interested in a particular activity or subject who usually meet on a regular basis.
  ...the Chorlton Conservative Club.
  ...a youth club...
  He was club secretary.
 2) N-COUNT: oft poss N A club is a place where the members of a club meet.
  I stopped in at the club for a drink.
 3) N-COUNT A club is a team which competes in sporting competitions.
  ...the New York Yankees baseball club.
  ...Liverpool football club.
 4) N-COUNT A club is the same as a nightclub.
  It's a big dance hit in the clubs.
  ...the London club scene.
 5) N-COUNT A club is a long, thin, metal stick with a piece of wood or metal at one end that you use to hit the ball in golf.
  ...a six-iron club.
  Syn:
  golf club
 6) N-COUNT A club is a thick heavy stick that can be used as a weapon.
  Men armed with knives and clubs attacked his home.
 7) VERB To club a person or animal means to hit them hard with a thick heavy stick or a similar weapon.
  [V n] Two thugs clubbed him with baseball bats...
  [V n to n] Clubbing baby seals to death for their pelts is wrong.
 8) N-UNCOUNT-COLL Clubs is one of the four suits in a pack of playing cards. Each card in the suit is marked with one or more black symbols: ♣.
  ...the ace of clubs.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - club together
 N-COUNT
 A club is a playing card of this suit. The next player discarded a club.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

1club /ˈklʌb/ noun, pl clubs
1 [count]
a : a group of people who meet to participate in an activity (such as a sport or hobby)
• an exclusive social/men's club
• Do you belong to any clubs?
• My friends and I formed/started a chess club. [=a group of people who play chess together]
• She's the club president. = She's the president of the club.
- see also fan club, glee club, golf club 2
b : the place where the members of a club meet
• I'll see you at the club.
- see also country club, health club
2 [count] : a sports team or organization
• the president of a major-league baseball club
• He spent five years with the club.
• a ball club
• a boxing/football/hockey club
3 [count] : an organization in which people agree to buy things (such as books or CDs) regularly in order to receive a benefit (such as lower prices)
• Join our movie club now and receive four free DVDs.
- see also book club
4 [count] : a business that provides entertainment (such as music, dancing, or a show) and that usually serves food and alcohol : nightclub
• a dance club
• jazz clubs
• comedy clubs [=clubs in which people perform comedy shows]
• They went club-hopping. [=they went to several different clubs in one night]
- often used before another noun
club owners
club music [=dance music that is played in clubs]
- see also strip club
5 [count] : a special metal stick used for hitting a golf ball : golf club
• I just bought a new set of clubs.
6 [count] : a heavy usually wooden stick that is used as a weapon
• In battle, they used swords and wooden clubs.
- see also billy club
7 a [count] : a playing card that is marked with a black shape that looks like three round leaves
• one heart, two diamonds, and two clubs
- see picture at playing card
b clubs [plural] : the suit in a deck of playing cards that consists of cards marked by a black shape that looks like three round leaves
• the nine of clubs
- compare diamond, heart, spade
8 [count] informal : club sandwich
• She ordered a turkey club with French fries.
in the club Brit informal : pregnant
join the club also welcome to the club informal
- used to say that the problems or feelings someone is having are problems or feelings that you have had yourself
• If you don't understand the rules, join the club: no one else does either!
- often used to suggest that a person's problems or feelings are not unusual and do not deserve much sympathy
• So you think you deserve to be paid more money for your work? Well, join the club. [=lots of people think they deserve more money]
• “My son won't do what I tell him to do.” “Join the club. I can't get my daughter to obey me, either.”