possession

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

|Updated on: 11 Jun 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

Aguilar-Juarez allegedly had a probation warrant issued in September for possession of marijuana, the release said.

— zachary hansen, ajc, "2 men arrested for allegedly possessing Oxycodone in Hall County," 7 June 2018
In addition to the weapons charges, Murphy was cited for possession of cannabis, police said in the release.

— staff report, chicagotribune.com, "Felon on parole for gun possession conviction charged in Evanston for having loaded weapon in vehicle," 5 June 2018
The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office authorized four felony charges, three for aggravated use of a weapon and one for possession of a defaced firearm, according to police.

— megan jones, Aurora Beacon-News, "Two face gun charges in Aurora," 31 May 2018
Groups in both states are sponsoring ballot measures that would eliminate criminal penalties for possession of the mushrooms whose active ingredient, psilocybin, can cause hallucinations, euphoria and changes in perception.

— barbara feder ostrov, sacbee, "'Magic' mushrooms: The next great legalization debate," 29 May 2018
Eighty percent of New Yorkers arrested for marijuana possession are Black or Latino, even as white people use the drug at the same rate.

— michael arceneaux, Essence.com, "OP-ED: Here's Why We Shouldn't Cancel Cynthia Nixon," 25 May 2018
Rivera was also charged for possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card, or FID.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "State Police seize more than 30,000 bags of heroin, arrest four people," 23 May 2018
He was arrested for cocaine possession in 2010 in Florida, although the charges were dropped.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Veteran outfielder Tyson Gillies on being legally deaf: 'It's made me a stronger player and person.'," 17 May 2018
In May of 2017, Callaway was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession, and was in the car with a 40-year man, Kendrick Williams, who had been arrested more than a dozen times in Florida for drugs, guns, battery, auto theft and more.

— mary kay cabot, cleveland.com, "How will Tyrod Taylor respond to Baker Mayfield's challenge? Hey, Mary Kay! (video)," 11 May 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