belong

verb

be·​long bi-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce belong (audio)
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

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 Witnessing the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis belongs on every traveler’s bucket list. Paul Rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2024 The Oscars belonged largely to theatrical-first films. Jake Coyle, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 Tell me these images don't belong on a Hallmark movie poster…I'll wait. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2024 Forget pineapple on pizza:Does peanut butter belong on a cheeseburger? John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The three couples to whom the embryos belonged sued the medical center and their fertility clinic, The Center for Reproductive Medicine, for wrongful death. USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 The remains belonged not only to men, but to women and children too. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 The award-winning journalist and media executive leans into the journey from her hometown to Harvard University and beyond, with a search for belonging at the center. Essence, 29 Feb. 2024 Create an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and individuals feel a sense of belonging. Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'belong.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of belong was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near belong

Cite this Entry

“Belong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belong. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

belong

verb
be·​long bi-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce belong (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on belong

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