belonging

1 of 2

noun

be·​long·​ing bi-ˈlȯŋ-iŋ 

bē-

1

: possession

—usually plural

2

: close or intimate relationship

a sense of belonging

belongingness noun

belonging

2 of 2

present participle of belong

Synonyms of belonging

Noun

• intimacy
• familiarity
• kinship
• friendship

Examples of belonging in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

The home was also searched thoroughly, but given the time period and social norms, officers felt uncomfortable going through a woman’s belongings. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Lucky for fans of Johnson’s home styling, the actor gave us a glimpse at some of her other favorite belongings in a new video for Vogue’s Objects of Affection series. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

In deceptively plain diction, the hurdle of one love relationship provokes an exploration of desire and belonging. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

The rising waters of Bui River in the southwest outskirts of Hanoi threatened to flood homes, prompting authorities to deploy hundreds of soldiers to help residents move belongings to higher ground, state media said. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for belonging

• prolonging
• longing
• thronging