belongingness

[ bih-lawng-ing-nis, -long- ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being an essential or important part of something:

   The company has developed social programs to give employees a sense of belongingness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of belongingness¹

First recorded in 1930–35; belonging + -ness

Example Sentences

It also asked about "school climate" or the feeling of safety, belongingness and adult support.

From Salon

“To have the mix of two very different cultures in a childhood, and how does that impact your psyche and your ethos and how you interact,” she said, “it’s really visceral to the idea of belongingness, or the lack of belongingness.”

From New York Times

“Growing up, we always feel like others need to validate us in order to belong. I hope that this show helps young people realize that belongingness is actually within ourselves, and that this mixed-race college student bhangra kid is able to teach everyone that message.”

From New York Times

The name struggle can also lead to depression and anxiety, says Srinivasan, because of “mixed feelings about their own culture and belongingness in your own skin.”

From Washington Post

“By refusing to adopt policies that protect transgender students, as required by Virginia law, the School Board threatens transgender students’ entire identity, ostracizes them and deprives them of the basic humanity and belongingness where they have the same opportunities as cisgender students to thrive,” reads the 19-page complaint filed in Hanover County Circuit Court on Thursday.

From Washington Post