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

To date, US officials have offered few details on the identities of those killed in the strikes or what drug trafficking organisations they allegedly belong to.

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In addition to businesses, belongings and lives being lost, the water and mud also deprived many families of their memories.

Read more on Barron's

The future belongs to systems that combine raw computational power with judgment, pattern recognition and domain expertise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Investigators also found a damaged crown that used to belong to Empress Eugenie on the thieves' escape route - thought to have been dropped as they escaped.

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Investigators found a damaged crown that used to belong to Empress Eugenie on the thieves' escape route - apparently having been dropped as they departed in haste.

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Related Words

• apply 
• exist 
• fit 
• reside