belonging

noun

be·​long·​ing bi-ˈlȯŋ-iŋ 

bē-

1

: possession

—usually used in plural

2

: close or intimate relationship

a sense of belonging

belongingness noun

Synonyms of belonging

• intimacy
• familiarity
• kinship
• friendship

Examples of belonging in a Sentence

the warm welcome they received from the community gave them a sense of belonging

packed up all their belongings and moved across the country

Recent Examples on the Web

Schmidt then took Pambianchi's belongings and placed them in the bathtub, where the water destroyed many of her items. — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026

There’s nothing worse than arriving at a hostel and finding there’s nowhere to store your belongings securely. — Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

But sometimes just thinking about tackling those jobs can feel exhausting, creating a barrier to success even for people who are highly motivated to improve their homes and their lives by exerting control over their belongings. — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 18 July 2026

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale features plenty of worthy discounts on crossbody bags, totes, and fanny packs to keep your belongings close by on the go. — Kayla Becker, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for belonging

• prolonging
• longing
• thronging