belonged; belonging; belongs
1
a
: to be suitable, appropriate, or advantageous
a dictionary belongs in every home
b
: to be in a proper situation
a man of his ability belongs in teaching
2
a
: to be the property of a person or thing
—used with to
the book belongs to me
b
: to be attached or bound by birth, allegiance, or dependency
—usually used with to
they belong to their homeland
c
: to be a member of a club, organization, or set
—usually used with to
she belongs to a country club
3
: to be an attribute, part, adjunct, or function of a person or thing
nuts and bolts belong to a car
4
: to be properly classified
Examples of belong in a Sentence
She was here for 15 years, but she never really belonged.
your shoes belong in the closet, not in the middle of the living room where people will trip on them
Recent Examples on the Web
These video game communities give some boys a sense of community and feeling of belonging in a world that doesn’t always feel so friendly towards them.
—
Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
The Circle of Courage—an Indigenous framework shared by Sioux researcher Martin Brokenleg—names these as belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
—Jonathon Reed, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Fleda was known not just for her hospitality but for her ability to create a sense of belonging.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Like wanting to belong, wanting to find your place in the world.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belong
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Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
The Circle of Courage—an Indigenous framework shared by Sioux researcher Martin Brokenleg—names these as belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
—Jonathon Reed, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Fleda was known not just for her hospitality but for her ability to create a sense of belonging.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Like wanting to belong, wanting to find your place in the world.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belong
Cite this Entry
“Belong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belong. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
belong
verb
be·long
bi-ˈlȯŋ 
1
: to be in a proper place
this book belongs on the top shelf
2
a
: to be the property of a person or group of persons
the watch belongs to me
b
: to be a member
belongs to our club
3
: to be a part of : be connected with : go with
the parts belonging to the clock
4
: to be classified
whales belong among the mammals
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