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,
a.
to be the property of: The book belongs to her.
b.
to be a part or adjunct of: That cover belongs to this jar.
Origin: 1300–50;Middle Englishbelongen, equivalent to be-be- + longen to belong, verbal derivative of long (adj.) belonging, Old Englishgelangalong1
mid-14c., "to go along with, relate to," from be- intensive prefix, + O.E. langian "pertain to, to go along with." Sense of "to be the property of" first recorded late 14c. Related to M.Du. belanghen, Du. belangen, Ger. belangen. Replaced earlier O.E. gelang, with completive prefix ge-.