bə̇ˈlȯŋ, bē- also -äŋ intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English belongen, from be- + longen to belong — more at long (to be suitable)
1.
a. : to be suitable, appropriate, or advantageous (for a person or thing)
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age — Heb 5:14 (Authorized Version)
a dictionary belongs in every office
b. : to be in a proper, rightful, or fitting place, situation, or connection
books placed where they don't belong
a man of his ability belongs in business
2. archaic : to have relation or reference (to a person or thing) — used with to or unto
3.
a. : to be the property of a person or thing — used with to
the money belongs to him
buildings belong to the government
b. : to become attached or bound (as to a person, group, or organization) by birth, allegiance, residence, or dependency — used with to
soldiers belonging to a famous regiment
c.
(1) : to be a member of a club or similar association — used with to
belong to the golf club
(2) : to have the social qualifications or ability to be a member of a group, circle, or society
she's smart and jolly and everything, but she just doesn't belong — Edna Ferber
4. : to be an attribute, part, adjunct, or function (of a person or thing) — used with to
good humor and wit belong to his personality
5. chiefly South & Midland : to become accustomed : ought
he belongs to come at 8 o'clock
6. : to be properly classified
whales belong among the mammals