possess
verb (used with object)
to have as belonging to one; have as property; own.
had possessed
-
past perfectof possess.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In fact, in the last 20 years, 1,047 teams had possessed the football with a lead and less than 10 seconds left.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
She didn’t have a computer, and even if she had possessed one, living in rural Whatcom County prevented her from accessing the internet at home.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 2024
She says the healer told her the depression was caused by a "jinn lover" who had possessed her.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2023
Ukraine’s military had eagerly awaited the arrival of the first batch of truck-mounted, multiple-rocket launchers, whose satellite-guided rockets have a range of more than 40 miles, greater than anything Ukraine had possessed.
From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2022
It was a mystery once more, as at the eviction I had uttered words that had possessed me.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
