belong

[bih-lawng, -long]

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.

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of belong¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of belong¹

C14 belongen , from _be- (intensive) + longen ; related to Old High German bilangēn to reach; see _long ³

Idioms and Phrases

see to the victor belong the spoils.

Example Sentences

But the day belonged to the blond-haired coach and lifelong Bruin whose debut as a playcaller figures to lead to many new opportunities.

From Los Angeles Times

Overriding all of it is what the president has said many times: “To the victors belong the spoils.”

From Salon

Max, who plays the other dog Bandit, is Indy’s puppy pal and belongs to Leonberg’s parents.

From Salon

Weiss, who once belonged to the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh that was the site of a shooting massacre in 2018, is a staunch Israel supporter.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Johnson’s Kerr huffs up a set of stairs in a training montage that already belongs to “Rocky.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apply 
• exist 
• fit 
• reside