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
The only way to assure that a Constitution possessing such powers was ratified was to keep slavery off the agenda.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
The quartet, who are all in their early 20s, possess a confidence and adventurous spirit that belies their infancy as a unit.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
The gentle Convery abruptly ages into Isaac, who steps into the role with the wide-eyed fervor of a man possessed.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
These light fixtures have been locally made since the 1700s and possess imperfections that Birger describes as particularly beautiful.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for possess
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Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
The quartet, who are all in their early 20s, possess a confidence and adventurous spirit that belies their infancy as a unit.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
The gentle Convery abruptly ages into Isaac, who steps into the role with the wide-eyed fervor of a man possessed.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
These light fixtures have been locally made since the 1700s and possess imperfections that Birger describes as particularly beautiful.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
possess
transitive verb
pos·sess
pə-ˈzes 
: to have possession of
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