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 of belong

• stay
• go

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

How The Morton Arboretum inspires belonging among employees and the surrounding community really comes down to building strong relationships, Koski says. — S. Sorrina Beecher, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026

For a deeper look at its cultural history, take a boat from Oban to remote Oneke, or The Neck, an early Māori settlement and the tūrangawaewae—place of belonging—of Rakiura Māori. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026

Below, Forbes Coaches Council members share ways leaders can help employees navigate difficult life events while preserving their dignity, privacy and sense of belonging. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026

The defending state champs would love to quiet the talk of all the critics, who don’t believe the Rams belong in the dance with a losing record. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for belong

• agung
• along
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong
• plainsong
• prolong
• sarong
• tanjong
• weeklong

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