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

Explanation

Belonging is a sense of fitting in or feeling like you are an important member of a group. A really close family gives each of its members a strong sense of belonging. When you belong, you are an official part of a group ("She belongs to the French club") or you're compatible with certain people or suited to a specific place ("I just belong in nature"). A feeling of belonging describes this sense of truly fitting or meshing, especially with friends, family members, or other sympathetic folks.

Example Sentences

This small group of ancient crocodile relatives evolved body plans that closely resembled bipedal theropod dinosaurs, despite belonging to a very different branch of the reptile family tree.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Another way extremism can develop is when a young person is looking for belonging.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

The emergency started Thursday, when the fire department responded to a vapor leak from a 34,000-gallon tank at a Garden Grove, Calif., plant belonging to GKN Aerospace, a British maker of jet parts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Havana refused to pay compensation, and their families were ultimately compensated by the US government with $93m in frozen assets belonging to the Cuban regime.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

This arm had the weight and comfort of the one belonging to her father.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu