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
Gigi Perez has always searched for belonging in a song.
—
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
In retrospect, taken collectively, much of McCarthy’s work as an actor, filmmaker and journalist hinges on the friendship motif — that primordial ache to belong, that yearning to be seen.
—Malina Saval, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Chicago residents remain divided on whether the technology belongs in their city.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
For decades, the Center has provided critical services, advocacy and a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ people across San Diego County.
—Ted G Callam, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belong
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Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
In retrospect, taken collectively, much of McCarthy’s work as an actor, filmmaker and journalist hinges on the friendship motif — that primordial ache to belong, that yearning to be seen.
—Malina Saval, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Chicago residents remain divided on whether the technology belongs in their city.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
For decades, the Center has provided critical services, advocacy and a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ people across San Diego County.
—Ted G Callam, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belong
Cite this Entry
“Belong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belong. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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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