possessed; possessing; possesses
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
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?
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
Williams possesses huge arms (34 3/8 inches) and a giant wingspan (82 7/8 inches).
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, and any military escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
That expectation of secrecy continues indefinitely, with only the pope himself possessing the authority to make exceptions.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
In 1969, poet and political activist John Sinclair faced a harsh ten-year prison sentence for possessing two marijuana joints.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for possess
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, and any military escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
That expectation of secrecy continues indefinitely, with only the pope himself possessing the authority to make exceptions.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
In 1969, poet and political activist John Sinclair faced a harsh ten-year prison sentence for possessing two marijuana joints.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for possess
Cite this Entry
“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possess. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
possess
transitive verb
pos·sess
pə-ˈzes 
: to have possession of
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