possession

[puh-zesh-uhn]

noun

1. the act or fact of possessing.

   Synonyms: occupation, tenure

2. the state of being possessed.

3. ownership.

4. Law.,  actual holding or occupancy, either with or without rights of ownership.

5. a thing possessed.

   He packed all his possessions into one trunk.

6. possessions, property or wealth.

7. a territorial dominion of a state.

8. Sports.

   1. physical control of the ball or puck by a player or team.

      He didn't have full possession when he was tackled.

   2. the right of a team to put the ball into play.

      They had possession after the other team sank a free throw.

9. control over oneself, one's mind, etc.

10. domination, actuation, or obsession by a feeling, idea, etc.

11. the feeling or idea itself.

possession

/ pəˈzɛʃən /

noun

1. the act of possessing or state of being possessed

   in possession of the crown

2. anything that is owned or possessed

3. (plural) wealth or property

4. the state of being controlled or dominated by or as if by evil spirits

5. the physical control or occupancy of land, property, etc, whether or not accompanied by ownership

   to take possession of a house

6. a territory subject to a foreign state or to a sovereign prince

   colonial possessions

7. sport control of the ball, puck, etc, as exercised by a player or team

   he lost possession in his own half

Other Word Forms

• nonpossession noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of possession¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin possessiōn-, stem of possessiō “occupancy, act of occupying,” from possess(us) “occupied” (past participle of possidēre “to have in one's control, occupy,” from pos-, combining form of pot(is) “able” + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre “to sit”) + -iō -ion; host ¹, sit ¹

Synonym Study

See custody.

Example Sentences

The individual had previously been convicted of possession of narcotics, attempting to sell a stolen firearm and theft, according to ICE.

From BBC

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown: "That's what Steve Clarke will have wanted. The players had to dig deep - everyone gave a solid performance. Denmark had a lot of possession but hardly any clear-cut chances."

From BBC

The three at the back in possession is used as a solution to build up around certain opposition shapes, with the additional player providing an extra passing option.

From BBC

Three other charges, including handgun possession, were dropped.

From Los Angeles Times

At a hearing in July she pleaded not guilty to charges of possession and trafficking illegal drugs and claimed she had been "forced to do this through torture".

From BBC

Related Words

• custody