accession

[ak-sesh-uhn]

noun

1. the act of coming into the possession of a right, title, office, etc..

   accession to the throne.

2. an increase by something added.

   an accession of territory.

3. something added.

   a list of accessions to the college library.

4. Law.,  addition to property by growth or improvement.

5. consent; agreement; approval.

   accession to a demand.

6. International Law.,  formal acceptance of a treaty, international convention, or other agreement between states.

7. the act of coming near; approach.

8. an attack or onset, as of a disease.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a record of (a book, painting, etc.) in the order of acquisition.

2. to acquire (a book, painting, etc.), especially for a permanent collection.

accession

/ əkˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the act of entering upon or attaining to an office, right, condition, etc

2. an increase due to an addition

3. an addition, as to a collection

4. property law

   1. an addition to land or property by natural increase or improvement

   2. the owner's right to the increased value of such land

5. international law the formal acceptance of a convention or treaty

6. agreement; consent

7. a less common word for access

verb

1. (tr) to make a record of (additions to a collection)

Other Word Forms

• accessional adjective
• nonaccession noun
• reaccession noun
• unaccessional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accession¹

1580–90; < Latin accessiōn- (stem of accessiō ) an approach, addition. See access, -ion

Example Sentences

Mass rallies have gripped the Black Sea nation since a disputed parliamentary election last October plunged Tbilisi into turmoil and prompted the European Union to effectively freeze its accession bid.

Read more on Barron's

Brussels effectively froze the EU-candidate country's accession bid last year after a disputed parliamentary vote.

Read more on Barron's

Austria faced near extinction in 1740 when Maria Theresa’s accession to the Habsburg throne prompted Frederick II of Prussia to invade and spark a war of partition.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Last summer, it launched EU accession talks in tandem with Ukraine.

Read more on BBC

But under President Sandu, the country has launched talks to join the EU and last year held a referendum in which voters chose to enshrine the goal of accession to the bloc in their constitution.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• enlargement 
• extension