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
Some argue that there are five, six, seven, or more precepts that belong in the doctrine.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Fluorescent Lighting Fluorescent lighting doesn't belong in the home, but that hasn't stopped people from reaching for the harsh, cool lights.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
Rowley will play Will, a young man caught between two worlds who wants belonging, respect, and a future beyond the shadows of the forest.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
This week’s other No. 1 seeds, Florida and Alabama, obviously belong in the discussion.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belong
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Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Fluorescent Lighting Fluorescent lighting doesn't belong in the home, but that hasn't stopped people from reaching for the harsh, cool lights.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025
Rowley will play Will, a young man caught between two worlds who wants belonging, respect, and a future beyond the shadows of the forest.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
This week’s other No. 1 seeds, Florida and Alabama, obviously belong in the discussion.
—Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 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 10 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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