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

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office said deputies found the victim's belongings in the suspects' vehicles. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Young fled without taking the woman’s belongings, police records show. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 12 May 2026

Don’t try to handle a squatter yourself by changing locks, hauling out belongings or shutting off utilities — Texas law treats that as a self-help eviction and can backfire if the person turns out to have tenant rights, making court eviction the required route in landlord-tenant cases. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026

But as with physical belongings, there are multiple possible outcomes. —Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for belonging

• prolonging
• longing
• thronging