belonging

American  

[bih-lawng-ing, -long-] / bɪˈlɔŋ ɪŋ, -ˈlɒŋ- /

noun

1. something that belongs.

2. belongings, possessions; goods; personal effects.

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belonging British  

/ bɪˈlɒŋɪŋ /

noun

1. secure relationship; affinity (esp in the phrase a sense of belonging )

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Other Word Forms

• unbelonging adjective

Etymology

Origin of belonging

First recorded in 1595–1605; belong + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

We tolerate misallocation because we are purchasing something other than objects: reassurance, attention, belonging—a ritualized way of saying you matter to me and I am willing to incur a cost to prove it.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Monday evening, the couple packed their essential belongings into bags and loaded them into a trolley, ready to leave their home behind for the time being.

From BBC

Videos online show a scene of chaos - people screaming for help, children crying and passengers scrambling to get their belongings.

From BBC

The power to change the Kennedy Center marquee resides with Congress, which has authority to “make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States.”

From The Wall Street Journal

For Lopez and his friends, that sense of belonging is only growing.

From Los Angeles Times