Showing results for "belonging"

• present participle of belong.

belonging

American  

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

noun

belongings plural

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

Derived Forms

• unbelonging
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• belongings
  plural

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

See Examples For:

belonging belongings

In-game, most platforms and titles offer parental controls, and EA FC automatically restricts purchases on accounts belonging to players under 13.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

But the lower house's broader approach demanding social media platforms refuse new users under 15 and suspend accounts belonging to children under that age prevailed.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

“A sense of belonging where students feel valued, connected and supported.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Hosted by the Duke of Richmond at his country manor, the event saw the largest stand belonging to China’s BYD, which is now taking on Europe’s storied brands on their home turf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

There’s a mess in my head—a mess of threads belonging to Jasmine and my brother and Sandy and that tent in the backyard and all the dragonflies.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender

Even under the worst kind of duress, they don’t want to flee their homes, their belongings, certainly not their families, despite the threatening burps of Vesuvius.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Police began escorting residents and campers back to properties and campsites to collect personal belongings on Sunday.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

Oulghazzi fled with his wife and daughter without being able to take their belongings.

From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026

They stood near the common room, wide smiles plastered on their faces as they watched him collect his belongings, he recalled.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

The sailors had set him ashore just as he was, ranged his belongings beside him, and departed.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton