possibility

noun

pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce possibility (audio)
plural possibilities
1
: the condition or fact of being possible
2
archaic : one's utmost power, capacity, or ability
3
: something that is possible
4
: potential or prospective value
usually used in plural
the house had great possibilities

Examples of possibility in a Sentence

There is a strong possibility that I will not be chosen for the job. Have you considered the possibility that you may be wrong? My first two ideas didn't work, but I thought of a third possibility. The future holds untold possibilities. His degree and job experience give him a wide range of possibilities for a career. a man of undetermined possibilities The old house might not look like much now, but it has possibilities.
Recent Examples on the Web Yet if Ohtani progresses quickly enough through his throwing program and remains healthy, Roberts left open the possibility of Ohtani eventually being able to play defensively in the field, if the need ever arises. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Reuters, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reports that the department store chain’s founding family is working with investment banking firms Morgan Stanley and Centerview Partners to explore the possibility of taking Nordstrom private. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Trump's company has not ruled out the possibility of having the corporate entities declare bankruptcy, the people with knowledge of the discussions said. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2024 Remember that Harvard plan to start testing the possibility of atmospheric geoengineering, as a means to combat climate change? David Meyer, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Airlines Offering Status Match Programs Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines offers a status match for 90 days with the possibility of extending by flying with Alaska and earning miles. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024 In each essay, Clein takes a close, empathetic look at the cultural frameworks that destroyed nearly any possibility of a positive body image for people alive in the early 2000s. Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 18 Mar. 2024 Initially intended to be part of a family-friendly showcase at Auditorium Shores but moved indoors due to the possibility of inclement weather, the gig retained a warm, intimate feel enhanced by the thinning crowd of a late Saturday afternoon. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2024 There is a possibility of light snow or a rain-snow mix Friday night into Saturday morning. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'possibility.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of possibility was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near possibility

Cite this Entry

“Possibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possibility. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

possibility

noun
pos·​si·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpäs-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce possibility (audio)
plural possibilities
1
: the state or fact of being possible
2
: something possible

More from Merriam-Webster on possibility

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