belong

American  

[bih-lawng, -long] / bɪˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɒŋ /

verb (used without object)

1. to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed byto ).

   He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

2. to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group.

   You don't belong in this club.

3. to be proper or due; be properly or appropriately placed, situated, etc..

   Books belong in every home. This belongs on the shelf. He is a statesman who belongs among the great.

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verb phrase

1. belong to

   1. to be the property of.

      The book belongs to her.

   2. to be a part or adjunct of.

      That cover belongs to this jar.

belong British  

/ bɪˈlɒŋ /

verb

1. (foll by to) to be the property or possession (of)

2. (foll by to) to be bound to (a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership

3. to be classified (with)

   this plant belongs to the daisy family

4. (foll by to) to be a part or adjunct (of)

   this top belongs to the smaller box

5. to have a proper or usual place

   that plate belongs in the cupboard

6. informal to be suitable or acceptable, esp socially

   although they were rich, they just didn't belong

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belong Idioms  

1. see to the victor belong the spoils.

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Etymology

Origin of belong

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English belongen, from be- be- + longen “to belong,” verb derivative of long (adjective), Old English gelang “belonging to, dependent on”; along ( def. ), long ³ ( def. )

Example Sentences

They knew the keys didn’t belong to Cynthia, but they apparently did not link them to Hatley at the time.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

The seven vessels, which belong to Malaysian energy giant Petronas and oil-and-gas services provider Sapura Energy, aren’t detained but are holding back for a safe window to proceed, Hasan said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Better to belong to the 75% club than the 25% club.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

"I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I'll belong anymore, but I would like to try," she added.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

“But that’s what happened, and so we’ve lived all our lives in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and so this is where we belong now. It’s what we know. It’s where our families are.”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• apply
• exist
• fit
• reside