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
Advocate for policies supporting mental health, such as flexible work arrangements, mental health days, and diversity and inclusion initiatives prioritizing equity and belonging.
—
Jasmine Browley, Essence, 9 Mar. 2025
Since Thursday, more than 1,000 people—including Christian minorities and Alawites, the sect to which Assad belongs—have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and local reports.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
The color doesn’t belong, but nothing really does, so everything—and everyone—is welcome.
—Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
During public comment Wednesday, several speakers testified about the importance of charter schools in offering diverse CPS learners a sense of safety, inclusion and belonging.
—Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belong
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Jasmine Browley, Essence, 9 Mar. 2025
Since Thursday, more than 1,000 people—including Christian minorities and Alawites, the sect to which Assad belongs—have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and local reports.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
The color doesn’t belong, but nothing really does, so everything—and everyone—is welcome.
—Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025
During public comment Wednesday, several speakers testified about the importance of charter schools in offering diverse CPS learners a sense of safety, inclusion and belonging.
—Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 6 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 13 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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