Definition of possession
1a : the act of having or taking into controlb : control or occupancy of property without regard to ownershipc : ownershipd : control of the ball or puck; also : an instance of having such control (as in football) scored on their first two possessions
2 : something owned, occupied, or controlled : property
3a : domination by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)b : a psychological state in which an individual's normal personality is replaced by anotherc : self-possession
From the M-W Editors
Examples of possession in a Sentence
The city can take possession of the abandoned buildings.
She came into possession of a rare silver coin.
The family lost all of its possessions in the fire.
This ring was my mother's most precious possession.
The defendant was charged with heroin possession.
Recent Examples of possession from the Web
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Bryan Moles, 43, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm.
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Glass’s possession of methamphetamine for his personal use, as evidenced by the residue in his pipe, is a distinct and separate prosecutable offense. . . .
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President Barack Obama used the legal authority once, during congressional inquiries after weapons ended up in the possession of Mexican gun cartels.
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The first type, property insurance, protects your home and possessions from fire, theft and other events your policy outlines.
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Mayes was found in possession of marijuana and digital scales.
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Several types of crimes can be felonies in Florida Bee cited three statutes that are felonies in Florida: • 893.13 (2) (a) 2: This statute bans buying or possession with intent to sell drugs, including marijuana which is a third-degree felony.
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Meade is charged with robbery, armed criminal action, resisting arrest and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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Fleischhauer said banning possession would be too burdensome to enforce and a better solution is to raise the age restriction everywhere.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'possession'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
14th Century
First Known Use of possession
14th century
POSSESSION Defined for English Language Learners
possession
playDefinition of possession for English Language Learners
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: the condition of having or owning something
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: something that is owned or possessed by someone
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law : the crime of having something that is illegal (such as a drug or weapon)
POSSESSION Defined for Kids
possession
playDefinition of possession for Students
1 : the condition of having or owning something The will is in my possession.
2 : something that is held by someone as property a valuable possession
Law Dictionary
possession
playLegal Definition of possession
1 : the act, fact, or condition of having control of something: as a : actual possession in this entry b : constructive possession in this entry c : knowing dominion and control over a controlled substance or other contraband d in the civil law of Louisiana : the detention or enjoyment of a corporeal thing e : control or occupancy of property actual possession 1 : direct occupancy, use, or control of real property had actual possession of the land despite a lack of legal title 2 : direct physical custody, care, or control of property or contraband (as illegal drugs) actual possession is not necessary to sustain a conviction — State v. Garrison, 896 S.W.2d 689 (1995) adverse possession : actual possession of another's real property that is open, hostile, exclusive, continuous, adverse to the claim of the owner, often under a claim of right or color of title, and that may give rise to title in the possessor if carried out for a specified statutory period (as ten years); also : the method of acquiring title by such possession — see also hostile possession and notorious possession in this entry — compare prescription civil possession in the civil law of Louisiana : possession that exists by virtue of an intent to be the owner of a property even though one no longer occupies or has physical control of it constructive possession 1 : possession that exists by virtue of a right (as by title) rather than direct occupancy or control 2 : the knowing ability and sometimes intent to exercise dominion and control over something (as illegal drugs) either directly or through others hostile possession : possession (as in adverse possession) that is antagonistic to the claims of all others (as a record owner) and that is carried out with the intention to possess the property exclusively notorious possession : possession (as in adverse possession) that is so conspicuous that it is generally known by people in the vicinity of the property and so gives rise to a presumption that the owner has notice of it precarious possession in the civil law of Louisiana : possession of property that is exercised by another (as a lessee) with the permission of or on behalf of the owner — see also acquisitive prescription at prescription
2 : something controlled, occupied, or owned personal possessions
Learn More about possession
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See words that rhyme with possession Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for possession Spanish Central: Translation of possession Nglish: Translation of possession for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of possession for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about possession
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