belonging

noun

be·​long·​ing bi-ˈlȯŋ-iŋ How to pronounce belonging (audio)
bē-
1
: possession
usually used in plural
2
: close or intimate relationship
a sense of belonging
belongingness noun

Examples of belonging in a Sentence

the warm welcome they received from the community gave them a sense of belonging packed up all their belongings and moved across the country
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hathaway holds onto her belongings with her free hand. Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025 It’s made from a polyester material that’s water-repellent to help protect your belongings and is expandable up to an additional two inches to fit even more of your vacation outfits. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2025 But amid their fight on the night of her death, Rodriguez began packing up her belongings to move out, a witness testified. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025 Packing all my belongings into boxes, coordinating with the moving truck, and emailing with our new and old landlords (all while working full-time and traveling to visit family) had been seriously wearing me down. Julia Ries, SELF, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for belonging

Word History

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of belonging was in 1781

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belonging. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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