possession

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

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

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possessional

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

—

possessionless

play \-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

The former Carol Stream resident was arrested in 2012 for child pornography possession after police executed a search warrant at his home.

— clifford ward, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "Ex-Wheaton College professor imprisoned for viewing film with nude children," 30 Aug. 2017
Police said Ulrick Jeanty, 28, of the 10400 block of Dearlove Road, Glenview, was charged on Aug. 24 with aggravated identity theft and unlawful possession of another person's credit card after an investigation in the 2400 block of Chestnut Avenue.

— alexandra kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Police: Someone posing as contractor steals from Glenview home," 28 Aug. 2017
He was also arrested the same year for possession of drug paraphernalia, but that charged was dismissed with condition.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Accused killer of beloved coach and librarian charged in St. Clair County," 25 Aug. 2017
He was convicted of possession of drug abuse instruments and released from jail on June 20, less than a month earlier. ...

— keith bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, "Inside a record-breaking overdose," 24 Aug. 2017
Erie’s criminal history includes a 2013 conviction that led to five years on probation for being a felon in possession of a firearm, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man sentenced to prison for trafficking in counterfeit goods," 21 Aug. 2017
Loyd finished with a game-high 16 points for the Storm, which improved to 12-16 and claimed sole possession of eighth place in the WNBA standings — the final playoff spot.

— percy allen, The Seattle Times, "Storm stuns first-place Lynx on Langhorne jumper with 11.1 to play," 16 Aug. 2017
Another Italian website, The Local, says Vacchi has had possessions such as his yacht seized by creditors.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "South Beach playboy Gianluca Vacchi’s fun times may be over," 16 Aug. 2017
Since Jeor gave the sword to Jon in Season 1, fans have speculated if and how the weapon would ever return to Jorah’s possession.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jorah Doesn't Know That Jon Snow Has a Mormont Family Heirloom," 15 Aug. 2017

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

possession Synonyms

Synonyms

control, enjoyment, hands, keeping

Antonyms

nonpossession

Related Words

ownership, proprietorship; authority, command, dominion, mastery, power; repossession, retention; claiming, collaring, commandeering, confiscation, procurement

Near Antonyms

dispossession, relinquishment, surrendering, transferal

POSSESSION Defined for English Language Learners

possession

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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

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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

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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