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

But the suit claims that a belongings form completed at admission records the failure to take Carradine’s belt. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026

On Monday, their son gathered some belongings and went to stay with her. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

At its center is Babe Bunyan, a towering, enigmatic axman whose search for identity and belonging drives the story toward an explosive conclusion. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Its themes of environmental fragility, social inequality, labour and belonging resonate strongly with the identity of our region. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for belonging

• prolonging
• longing
• thronging