belong

/biˈlɑŋ/

/bəˈlɒŋ/

Other forms: belonged; belonging; belongs

Things that belong to you are your property — in other words, you own them. Your prized rock collection belongs to you.

There are several ways to use the verb belong. Items you buy or that are given to you belong to you. You also belong to a group of friends — you fit in, or are a member. When you feel at home somewhere, as though you're meant to be there, you also belong: "I belong in a big city!" The 14th century meaning of belong was "to go along with," from be- and longen, "to go."

Definitions of belong

1. verb

   be owned by; be in the possession of
   “This book belongs to me”

   type of:

   be

   have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
2. verb

   be suitable or acceptable
   “This student somehow doesn't belong”

   type of:

   be

   have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
3. verb

   be in the right place or situation
   “Where do these books belong?”

   “Let's put health care where it belongs--under the control of the government”

   synonyms: go

   type of:

   be

   occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere
4. verb

   be rightly classified in a class or category
   “The whales belong among the mammals”

   type of:

   be

   have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
5. verb

   be a part or adjunct
   “the uniform looks like it belonged to a museum collection”

   “These pages don't belong”

   synonyms: belong to

   types:

   inhere

   be inherent in something

   appertain, pertain

   be a part or attribute of
6. verb

   be a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (of a group, organization, or place)
   “They belong to the same political party”

   type of:

   be

   have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)