possessed; possessing; possesses
2
a
: to seize and take control of : take into one's possession
b
: to enter into and control firmly : dominate
was possessed by demons
c
: to bring or cause to fall under the influence, domination, or control of some emotional or intellectual response or reaction
melancholy possesses her
3
a
obsolete
: to instate as owner
b
: to make the owner or holder
—used in passive construction to indicate simple possession
possessed of riches
possessed of knowledge and experience
Examples of possess in a Sentence
What would possess seemingly sane people to treat concrete walls like trampolines?
—
Alice Park, Time, 16 Apr. 2007
People who experience specific colors when looking at particular letters, such as seeing sky blue when shown an R, possess an unusual abundance of connections in brain areas involved in word and color perception, a new brain-imaging investigation finds.
—Bruce Bower, Science News, 26 May 2007
What does matter is that we come to recognize that playfulness, as a philosophical stance, can be very serious, indeed; and, moreover, that it possesses an unfailing capacity to arouse ridicule and hostility in those among us who crave certainty, reverence, and restraint.
—Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004
nations that possess nuclear weapons
The defendant was charged with possessing cocaine.
The ruby was once possessed by an ancient queen.
He dreams of someday possessing great wealth.
He possesses a keen wit.
The drug possesses the potential to suppress tumors.
Do dolphins possess the ability to use language?
Alice Park, Time, 16 Apr. 2007
People who experience specific colors when looking at particular letters, such as seeing sky blue when shown an R, possess an unusual abundance of connections in brain areas involved in word and color perception, a new brain-imaging investigation finds.
—Bruce Bower, Science News, 26 May 2007
What does matter is that we come to recognize that playfulness, as a philosophical stance, can be very serious, indeed; and, moreover, that it possesses an unfailing capacity to arouse ridicule and hostility in those among us who crave certainty, reverence, and restraint.
—Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004
nations that possess nuclear weapons
The defendant was charged with possessing cocaine.
The ruby was once possessed by an ancient queen.
He dreams of someday possessing great wealth.
He possesses a keen wit.
The drug possesses the potential to suppress tumors.
Do dolphins possess the ability to use language?
Recent Examples on the Web
Marvel at Nocturnal Birdlife Across the United Kingdom The United Kingdom may not possess the towering megafauna found across Asia and Africa, but according to Adventure Tours UK Co-Founder Claire Copeman, there’s plenty of captivating wildlife to encounter across Great Britain during the night.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Newton possessed the speed to beat defenders, but had the strength of a fullback.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Pichardo pleaded guilty on April 3 to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and quantities of cocaine, heroin, and other opioids, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
The traditional Silver Surfer possessed cosmic awareness, self-healing, superluminal speed aboard his shape-shifting surfboard, energy projection, matter manipulation, telepathy, enhanced strength, and overall super coolness.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for possess
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Newton possessed the speed to beat defenders, but had the strength of a fullback.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Pichardo pleaded guilty on April 3 to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and quantities of cocaine, heroin, and other opioids, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
The traditional Silver Surfer possessed cosmic awareness, self-healing, superluminal speed aboard his shape-shifting surfboard, energy projection, matter manipulation, telepathy, enhanced strength, and overall super coolness.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for possess
Cite this Entry
“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possess. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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Legal Definition
possess
transitive verb
pos·sess
pə-ˈzes 
: to have possession of
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