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

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

And the nation’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias (No. 8) belongs on any bucket list. —Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

Perhaps Ladson and Moultrie belong in the above (decent) category. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

Third places are spaces outside of the home and workplace where people can go to experience a sense of belonging or identity — coffee shops, gyms, parks, community centers and libraries. —The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024

For Black children, having dolls that look like them reinforces a sense of belonging and self-acceptance, said Cora Hardy, executive director of Sacramento adoption and foster care agency Better Life Children Services. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024

Admittedly, Clark belongs in a league of her own in terms of commanding attention. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024

Wielding 8,000 five-star ratings, this pair belongs in your closet. —Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

But what Israelis see as the worst day in their history is also profoundly challenging their sense of security and belonging. —Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024

Buffets are the culinary version of your wedding day or a big birthday—a bunch of foods that don’t belong together all in the same space, somehow getting along. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

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

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