possess

verb

pos·​sess pə-ˈzes 

also

-ˈses 

possessed; possessing; possesses

transitive verb

1

a

: to have and hold as property : own

b

: to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

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

Fear possessed me.

What possessed you to do such a thing?

After college, she was possessed by a desire to travel.

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

possessor

pə-ˈze-sər 

also -ˈse-

noun

Synonyms of possess

• have
• retain
• own
• enjoy

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?

Recent Examples on the Web

Industry experts are split over whether short-drama specialists or traditional incumbents possess the stronger distribution moat. — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Anthony Richardson possessed almost extraterrestrial talent but maddening inconsistency. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Alongside the under-14s’ triumph, the under-15s won the Premier League International Tournament, showing the age-group-wide talent pools Newcastle now possess. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The observations show the red supergiant has an atmosphere with a temperature of around 3,680 degrees Fahrenheit (2,030 degrees Celsius), but possesses at least two regions even hotter than this. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French possesser to have possession of, take possession of, from Latin possessus, past participle of possidēre, from potis able, having the power + sedēre to sit — more at potent, sit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for possess

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids Definition

possess

verb

pos·​sess pə-ˈzes 

1

a

: to have and hold as property : own

b

: to have as a characteristic, knowledge, or skill

possesses a keen wit

2

: to enter into and control firmly : dominate

possessed by a demon

whatever possessed you to do that

possessor

-ˈzes-ər

noun

Legal Definition

possess

transitive verb

pos·​sess pə-ˈzes 

: to have possession of