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to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed by to):
He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.
to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group:
You don’t belong in this club.
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.
belong to,

to be the property of:
The book belongs to her.
to be a part or adjunct of:
That cover belongs to this jar.

Contemporary Examples

They belong to the world of pleasure, of love, vice, crime, drugs.
Furtive Photography Philip Gefter May 26, 2010

There are also pieces that belong in the show only by poetic association.
The Original Sexy Beast Anthony Haden-Guest July 1, 2009

They find vociferous support in attacking “outsiders” for taking jobs that belong, possibly by divine right, to sons of the soil.
The Irony of the Anti-Immigration Violence in Assam Dilip D’Souza August 19, 2012

I belong to the “Soccer Hater” demographic – middle-aged Republican crank with long, blonde hair and a great pair of gams.
Up To a Point: Oops, I Enjoyed Soccer P. J. O’Rourke July 12, 2014

“I belong to at least 20 groups,” said Amit Slonim, an editor and writer at Mako.
Israel, Hamas, WhatsApp and Hacked Phones in the Gaza Psy-War Itay Hod July 25, 2014

Historical Examples

I say to the chief and people, How can Basutoland belong to Basutos?
General Gordon Seton Churchill

“Fiume must belong to Italy or be blown up,” cried the poet.
The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 2 Henry Baerlein

I have just seen papa, and he says you belong to great people.
Chambers’s Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art Various

We are to belong to God, and to know that we do belong to Him.
Expositions of Holy Scripture Alexander Maclaren

To some stage of that period the objects found in the tombs must belong.
Studies of Travel – Greece Edward A. Freeman

verb (intransitive)
(foll by to) to be the property or possession (of)
(foll by to) to be bound to (a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership
foll by to, under, with, etc. to be classified (with): this plant belongs to the daisy family
(foll by to) to be a part or adjunct (of): this top belongs to the smaller box
to have a proper or usual place: that plate belongs in the cupboard
(informal) to be suitable or acceptable, esp socially: although they were rich, they just didn’t 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-.
see: to the victor belong the spoils