belong

verb

be·​long bi-ˈlȯŋ 

bē-

belonged; belonging; belongs

intransitive verb

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

auxiliary verb

chiefly Southern US and south Midland US : ought, must

Synonyms

• go

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

Anyone familiar with the long-running FX sitcom about a group of bartenders knows that the Sunny protagonists don’t belong anywhere near an elementary-school campus. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2025

Their career stat lines — and those of today’s generation — challenge the definition of who belongs in Cooperstown. —Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

Professional lighting and other wedding decor pieces belong in this category as well, from candles to table displays and other types of signage. —Virginia Van Zanten, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025

Red Flag Warning Will Remain Until Friday Evening As Blazes Burn More Than 2,000 Structures Google’s Gmail Upgrade—Do Not Lose Your Account Our brains are devoted to social connection, yearning for acceptance and belonging. —Samantha Tassone, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English belongen, from be- be- + longen "to be suitable" — more at long entry 5

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing belong

• belong to

Kids 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