belong

[bih-lawng, -long] /bɪˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɒŋ/
verb (used without object)
1.
to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed by to):
He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.
2.
to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group:
You don't belong in this club.
3.
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
4.
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
1300-50; Middle English belongen, equivalent to be- be- + longen to belong, verbal derivative of long (adj.) belonging, Old English gelang along1
Examples from the web for belong
  • Faculty members who belong to unions already have formal support systems in place.
  • Many sources belong to water districts, which require the approval of all members before a transfer can take place.
  • Newspapers belong to this part of the company, which is why their losses are indulged.
  • And sometimes someone who is claiming to be a member of the family who doesn't belong.
  • She said such people did not belong in academe, whatever their other accomplishments.
  • But more differences imply that a new specimen may belong to a new category altogether.
  • Even before a gender determination is made, researchers must figure out if remains belong to a human or a nonhuman animal.
  • Most astilbes sold belong to this hybrid group or are sold as such.
  • Horseshoe crabs look as if they belong in another era.
  • Frogs belong to a group of animals called reptiles mammals amphibians.
British Dictionary definitions for belong

belong

/bɪˈlɒŋ/
verb (intransitive)
1.
(foll by to) to be the property or possession (of)
2.
(foll by to) to be bound to (a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership
3.
foll by to, under, with, etc. to be classified (with): this plant belongs to the daisy family
4.
(foll by to) to be a part or adjunct (of): this top belongs to the smaller box
5.
to have a proper or usual place: that plate belongs in the cupboard
6.
(informal) to be suitable or acceptable, esp socially: although they were rich, they just didn't belong
Word Origin
C14 belongen, from be- (intensive) + longen; related to Old High German bilangēn to reach; see long³
Word Origin and History for belong
v.

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-.

Idioms and Phrases with belong

belong

see: to the victor belong the spoils