belong

verb

be·​long bi-ˈlȯŋ 

bē-

belonged; belonging; belongs

intransitive verb

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

auxiliary verb

chiefly Southern US and south Midland US : ought, must

Synonyms

• go

Example Sentences

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

Under federal law, service charges belong to the restaurant and may be retained solely by the restaurant or distributed to employees in any amount of the restaurant’s choosing, according to Dallas restaurant and hospitality attorney Ty Sheaks. —Dallas News, 24 Jan. 2023

The past winners now belong to Trader Joe's new Hall of Fame lineup. —Tracey Harrington Mccoy, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2023

The aforementioned scrunchies belong to Gabby, played with vivacious confidence by Williams. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023

These spiky blooms belong at the back of your border in full sun. —Terri Robertson, Country Living, 18 Jan. 2023

The accounts belong to a digital influencer, a YouTuber recently elected federal lawmaker, a podcast host in the mold of Joe Rogan, and an evangelical pastor and senator-elect, among others. —David Biller And Carla Bridi, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jan. 2023

The accounts belong to a digital influencer, a YouTuber recently elected federal lawmaker, a podcast host in the mold of Joe Rogan, and an evangelical pastor and senator-elect, among others. —David Biller And Carla Bridi, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Jan. 2023

The accounts belong to a digital influencer, a YouTuber recently elected federal lawmaker, a podcast host in the mold of Joe Rogan, and an evangelical pastor and senator-elect, among others. —David Biller, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Jan. 2023

The BIDs also belong to the DC BID Council, a trade association. —Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English belongen, from be- be- + longen "to be suitable" — more at long entry 5

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing belong

• belong to

• belong to

Kids 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