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.

---

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

---

belong Idioms  

1. see to the victor belong the spoils.

---

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”; cf. along ( def. ), long ³ ( def. )

Explanation

Things that belong to you are your property — in other words, you own them. Your prized rock collection belongs to you. There are several ways to use the verb belong. Items you buy or that are given to you belong to you. You also belong to a group of friends — you fit in, or are a member. When you feel at home somewhere, as though you're meant to be there, you also belong: "I belong in a big city!" The 14th century meaning of belong was "to go along with," from be- and longen, "to go."

Example Sentences

“By keeping it in the trust, it meant that the government couldn’t touch it because it didn’t belong to him. Since he didn’t own anything, when he passed, we didn’t have to do probate.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

“We kind of looked at each other and we’re like, ‘we don’t really belong here,’” said Quijada, who invited Robinson to take part in “Mexodus” during the pandemic shutdown.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

If they confirm BPPV, the preferred treatment is a technique called the Epley maneuver—a series of guided head and body turns designed to move the displaced crystals back where they belong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The three-part document was allegedly authored by Moreno-Gama, and listed "names and addresses that purported to belong to multiple CEOs and investors."

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

The beauty of an artwork doesn’t belong to the artwork itself, Wilde says.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

Related Words

• apply
• exist
• fit
• reside