dues-paying

American  

[dooz-pey-ing, dyooz-] / ˈduzˌpeɪ ɪŋ, ˈdjuz- /

adjective

1. gaining experience, especially by hard and often unpleasant or uncongenial work.

   He spent his dues-paying years as a cocktail pianist.

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noun

1. the act or process of gaining experience, especially slowly and laboriously.

   She had many years of dues-paying before her abilities were recognized.

Etymology

Origin of dues-paying

First recorded in 1860–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dues-paying

Meanwhile, the number of voters who officially affiliate as dues-paying members of the DSA is also on the upswing, nearly doubling since Mamdani began his viral mayoral campaign in 2025.

From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026

Huang is a community organizer, minister and dues-paying member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2026

Epstein wasn’t a dues-paying member of the club, but Trump told staff to treat him like one, the employees said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 31, 2025

The group does not release its list of dues-paying members, nor does it publicize information about where or how it conducts trainings.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 21, 2023

He wasn't even a member of the German American Bund, a Hitler-endorsed organization comprising an estimated 25,000 dues-paying Germans living in America.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple