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
From this vantage point, rejection sometimes serves as a redirection to where students truly belong.
—
Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
An Expert Weighs In Keeping Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting on the Counter
There was once an era when anything belonged on grandma’s counter, from leftover sweet tea to desserts containing dairy to last night’s pepperoni pizza.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
On April 12, a harmony-seeking full moon in Libra will shake up your 11th house of associations, community and sense of belonging in the world, urging you to reflect on the balance between your personal and social life.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Local high school students will create this original movement piece inspired by a falling star’s journey from displacement to belonging.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belong
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Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
An Expert Weighs In Keeping Desserts with Cream Cheese Frosting on the Counter
There was once an era when anything belonged on grandma’s counter, from leftover sweet tea to desserts containing dairy to last night’s pepperoni pizza.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
On April 12, a harmony-seeking full moon in Libra will shake up your 11th house of associations, community and sense of belonging in the world, urging you to reflect on the balance between your personal and social life.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Local high school students will create this original movement piece inspired by a falling star’s journey from displacement to belonging.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 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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