possession

noun pos·ses·sion \ pə-ˈze-shən also -ˈse- \

|Updated on: 20 Aug 2018

Examples: possession in a Sentence

Definition of possession

1 a : the act of having or taking into control

b : control or occupancy of property without regard to ownership

c : ownership

d : 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

3 a : 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 another

c : self-possession

—

possessional

play \pə-ˈzesh-nəl, -ˈze-shə-nᵊl also -ˈsesh-nəl or -ˈse-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

possessionless

play \pə-ˈze-shən-ləs, -ˈse-\ adjective

See possession defined for English-language learners

See possession defined for kids

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

Clayton Vaughan, 22, 900 block of Spruce Street, Aurora, was charged with armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearm/firearm ammunition at 8:34 p.m. Wednesday in Aurora, Aurora police said.

— erika wurst, Aurora Beacon-News, "Police: Aurora man charged with armed robbery," 13 July 2018
He was also convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm.

— travis andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Appeals Court reinstates conviction of gang member in asthma manslaughter case," 11 July 2018
Miller is charged with the unlawful possession of identification documents.

— campbell lutz, ajc, "GBI: Officer illegally accessed registration database," 7 July 2018
Dunbar, 32, from Bakersfield, California, is in federal prison in Texas after pleading guilty in September 2015 to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

— ken ritter, Fox News, "Lawyers: 2014 arrest at Vegas hotel precursor to killings," 6 July 2018
Dunbar, 32, from Bakersfield, California, is in federal prison in Texas after pleading guilty in September 2015 to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

— Washington Post, "Lawyers: 2014 arrest at Vegas hotel precursor to killings," 6 July 2018
He was previously charged with five counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of motor vehicle theft, and had been called a person of interest in Cunningham's death.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Fugitive charged with murder in woman's decapitation after DNA found on samurai sword," 2 July 2018
He was convicted of unlawful possession of the handgun that was found inside a garage and received a mandatory five-year sentence.

— jessica anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Judge declares mistrial Thursday in third Keith Davis Jr. trial," 21 June 2018
Christian Daniel was charged with theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm after his dad, Theodis Daniel, called 911 on him.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Mom recognized son's Crime Stoppers photo — so she dragged him to the station, Texas cops say," 7 June 2018

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.

First Known Use of possession

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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possession Synonyms

POSSESSION Defined for English Language Learners

possession

noun

Definition of possession for English Language Learners

: the condition of having or owning something
: something that is owned or possessed by someone
law : the crime of having something that is illegal (such as a drug or weapon)

POSSESSION Defined for Kids

possession

noun pos·ses·sion \ pə-ˈze-shən \

Definition 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

noun pos·ses·sion \ pə-ˈze-shən \

legal 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