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
All of this leads to a higher degree of campus engagement, a stronger sense of belonging, improved academic performance, and a more cohesive community environment.
—
Cynthia Aranda Cervantes, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
That Trump embraces Musk, an immigrant executive from South Africa, lays bare the true nature of his worldview—complexion, not nationality, determines who belongs in the corridors of power.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
Stewart held her cell phone as Seyfried showed her something on the screen, with Turner-Smith leaning in, listening and reacting, with the energy of a trio that needs to belong together on screen somehow.
—Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
It will be seen whether today’s concerns over Jewish safety and belonging alter this trend.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for belong 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cynthia Aranda Cervantes, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
That Trump embraces Musk, an immigrant executive from South Africa, lays bare the true nature of his worldview—complexion, not nationality, determines who belongs in the corridors of power.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
Stewart held her cell phone as Seyfried showed her something on the screen, with Turner-Smith leaning in, listening and reacting, with the energy of a trio that needs to belong together on screen somehow.
—Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
It will be seen whether today’s concerns over Jewish safety and belonging alter this trend.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for belong
Dictionary Entries Near belong
Cite this Entry
“Belong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belong. Accessed 19 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share