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belonging

[ bih-lawng-ing, -long- ]
/ bɪˈlɔŋ ɪŋ, -ˈlɒŋ- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR belonging ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something that belongs.
belongings, possessions; goods; personal effects.

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Words related to belonging

relationship, inclusion, acceptance, loyalty, rapport, affinity, attachment, association, kinship

Words nearby belonging

beloeil, beloit, belomancy, belonephobia, belong, belonging, belongingness, belongings, belonoid, belorussia, belorussian

Origin of belonging

First recorded in 1595–1605; belong + -ing1

OTHER WORDS FROM belonging

un·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,
  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.

Origin of belong

1300–50; Middle English belongen, equivalent to be- be- + longen to belong, verbal derivative of long (adj.) belonging, Old English gelang along
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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.