belonging
[ bih-lawng-ing, -long- ]
/ bɪˈlɔŋ ɪŋ, -ˈlɒŋ- /
noun
something that belongs.
belongings, possessions; goods; personal effects.
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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
Related formsun·be·long·ing, adjective
Definition for belonging (2 of 2)
belong
[ bih-lawng, -long ]
/ bɪˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɒŋ /
verb (used without object)
to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed by to): He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.
to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group: You don't belong in this club.
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 Phrases
belong to,
- to be the property of: The book belongs to her.
- to be a part or adjunct of: That cover belongs to this jar.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for belonging
British Dictionary definitions for belonging (1 of 2)
belonging
/ (bɪˈlɒŋɪŋ) /
noun
secure relationship; affinity (esp in the phrase a sense of belonging)
British Dictionary definitions for belonging (2 of 2)
belong
/ (bɪˈlɒŋ) /
verb (intr)
(foll by to) to be the property or possession (of)
(foll by to) to be bound to (a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership
(foll by to, under, with, etc) to be classified (with)this plant belongs to the daisy family
(foll by to) to be a part or adjunct (of)this top belongs to the smaller box
to have a proper or usual placethat plate belongs in the cupboard
informal to be suitable or acceptable, esp sociallyalthough they were rich, they just didn't belong
Word Origin for belong
C14 belongen, from be- (intensive) + longen; related to Old High German bilangēn to reach; see long ³
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for belonging
belong
mid-14c., "to go along with, properly relate to," from be- intensive prefix, + longen "to go," from Old English langian "pertain to, to go along with," of unknown origin. Senses of "be the property of" and "be a member of" first recorded late 14c. Cognate with Middle Dutch belanghen, Dutch belangen, German belangen. Replaced earlier Old English gelang, with completive prefix ge-.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with belonging
belong
see to the victor belong the spoils.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.