possess

verb

pos·​sess pə-ˈzes How to pronounce possess (audio)
also
-ˈses How to pronounce possess (audio)
possessed; possessing; possesses

transitive verb

1
a
: to have and hold as property : own
b
: to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
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
possessor
pə-ˈze-sər How to pronounce possess (audio)
 also  -ˈse-
noun

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?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Italian side possess a serious number of defenders who are simply not good enough to represent a club with ambitions of winning Serie A while competing in the UEFA Champions League. Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 In 1940, the federal government enacted The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibiting people from hunting, selling or possessing an eagle ‒ in effort to prevent further population decline. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 July 2025 One of the great mysteries of my family life is what possessed two teenage sisters at the turn of the 20th century to leave home in Rzeszow, Poland, and head for a new life in America. Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025 This includes fireworks that were purchased lawfully in another state and transported to Massachusetts. People who use or possess them illegally are also subject to a fine, while the unlawful sale of fireworks is an arrestable offense that carries potential jail time. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for possess

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French possesser to have possession of, take possession of, from Latin possessus, past participle of possidēre, from potis able, having the power + sedēre to sit — more at potent, sit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of possess was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possess. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

possess

verb
pos·​sess pə-ˈzes How to pronounce possess (audio)
1
a
: to have and hold as property : own
b
: to have as a characteristic, knowledge, or skill
possesses a keen wit
2
: to enter into and control firmly : dominate
possessed by a demon
whatever possessed you to do that
possessor
-ˈzes-ər
noun

Legal Definition

possess

transitive verb
pos·​sess pə-ˈzes How to pronounce possess (audio)
: to have possession of

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