To belong means to be in the right place, to fit in naturally, or to be a member of something. When puzzle pieces belong together, they connect perfectly. When you belong to a club or team, you're an official member. When something belongs to you, you own it: “This jacket belongs to me.”

The feeling of belonging is that comfortable sense of fitting in somewhere. You might feel like you belong when you're with close friends who understand you, or when you're doing an activity that feels natural to your talents and interests. A kid who loves science might feel they belong in the robotics club. Someone new to a school searches for where they belong, looking for friends and activities that feel right.

Belongings are the things you own and carry with you, like the items in your backpack or suitcase. “Don't forget your belongings” means remember to take your stuff.

Sometimes people don't feel like they belong somewhere, like being the only one who doesn't understand an inside joke or feeling left out of a group. Other times, you might walk into a room and immediately feel like you belong there.