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
As thousands sing, clap and chant together, attendees describe a feeling of bliss and belonging, a chance to step outside the pressures of work, studies and an increasingly competitive society.
—
Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
This nostalgic tradition, which calls for a bit of patience, belongs on every old-fashioned summer bucket list.
—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
4 July 2026
In companies, communities, industries, and institutions, leaders are stewards of the conditions that allow people to work, build, belong, and become.
—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Here is a brief overview and judgement calls of several garden insects that challenge our assumptions about who belongs in which column.
—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for belong
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
4 July 2026
This nostalgic tradition, which calls for a bit of patience, belongs on every old-fashioned summer bucket list.
—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
4 July 2026
In companies, communities, industries, and institutions, leaders are stewards of the conditions that allow people to work, build, belong, and become.
—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Here is a brief overview and judgement calls of several garden insects that challenge our assumptions about who belongs in which column.
—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for belong
Cite this Entry
“Belong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belong. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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