club (klŭb)
n.

1. A stout heavy stick, usually thicker at one end, suitable for use as a weapon; a cudgel.
2. Sports. An implement used in some games to drive a ball, especially a stick with a protruding head used in golf.
3. Games.
   1. A black figure shaped like a trefoil or clover leaf on certain playing cards.
   2. A playing card with this figure.
   3. clubs (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The suit of cards represented by this figure.
4. A group of people organized for a common purpose, especially a group that meets regularly: a garden club.
5. The building, room, or other facility used for the meetings of an organized group.
6. Sports. An athletic team or organization.
7. A nightclub.

v., clubbed, club·bing, clubs.

v.tr.

1. To strike or beat with or as if with a club.
2. To use (a firearm) as a club by holding the barrel and hitting with the butt end.
3. To gather or combine (hair, for example) into a clublike mass.
4. To contribute to a joint or common purpose.

v.intr.
To join or combine for a common purpose; form a club.

[Middle English, from Old Norse klubba.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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