belonged; belonging; belongs
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
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
The Centre for Multicultural Youth, an Australian non-profit that consulted youth and their families about the ban, said the ban could negatively impact mental health and a sense of belonging among youth, and could limit access to information.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
The court’s decision will determine not only the legal status of children born to undocumented or temporary status parents, but also the constitutional boundaries of who belongs in the American political community.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
The store’s eclectic and marvelously curated decor gives the distinct sense that everything in that shop belongs together.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Dec. 2025
What comes out is an ooey-gooey, indulgent, and slightly spicy, crowd-pleasing item that belongs in your dinner party rotation.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belong
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Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Dec. 2025
The court’s decision will determine not only the legal status of children born to undocumented or temporary status parents, but also the constitutional boundaries of who belongs in the American political community.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
The store’s eclectic and marvelously curated decor gives the distinct sense that everything in that shop belongs together.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Dec. 2025
What comes out is an ooey-gooey, indulgent, and slightly spicy, crowd-pleasing item that belongs in your dinner party rotation.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belong
Cite this Entry
“Belong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belong. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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