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
Here’s what actually belongs in a starter routine, morning and evening, based on dermatologist guidance.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Drawn deeper into an increasingly brutal system, he is forced to confront the limits of his own free will and the true cost of belonging.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Supporters of the change argue that sociology is not scientific or objective enough to belong in the core curriculum.
—Carla Cox, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Then there was the question of whether dogs belonged in the city at all.
—Rachel Sugar, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belong
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Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Drawn deeper into an increasingly brutal system, he is forced to confront the limits of his own free will and the true cost of belonging.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Supporters of the change argue that sociology is not scientific or objective enough to belong in the core curriculum.
—Carla Cox, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Then there was the question of whether dogs belonged in the city at all.
—Rachel Sugar, Curbed, 8 Apr. 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 9 Apr. 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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