possess

[ puh-zes ]

verb (used with object)

1. to have as belonging to one; have as property; own:

   to possess a house and a car.

2. to have as a faculty, quality, or the like:

   to possess courage.

3. (of a spirit, especially an evil one) to occupy, dominate, or control (a person) from within:

   He thought he was possessed by devils.

4. (of a feeling, idea, etc.) to dominate or actuate in the manner of such a spirit:

   He was possessed by envy.

5. (of a man) to succeed in having sexual intercourse with.
6. to have knowledge of:

   to possess a language.

7. to keep or maintain (oneself, one's mind, etc.) in a certain state, as of peace, patience, etc.
8. to maintain control over (oneself, one's mind, etc.).
9. to impart to; inform; familiarize (often followed by of or with ):

   to possess someone of the facts of the case.

10. to cause to be dominated or influenced, as by an idea, feeling, etc.
11. to make (someone) owner, holder, or master, as of property, information, etc.:

    He possessed them of the facts.

12. to seize or take.
13. to gain or win.
14. to occupy or hold.

possess

/ pəˈzɛs /

verb

1. to have as one's property; own
2. to have as a quality, faculty, characteristic, etc

   to possess good eyesight

3. to have knowledge or mastery of

   to possess a little French

4. to gain control over or dominate

   whatever possessed you to act so foolishly?

5. foll by of to cause to be the owner or possessor

   I am possessed of the necessary information

6. often foll by with to cause to be influenced or dominated (by)

   the news possessed him with anger

7. to have sexual intercourse with
8. rare.
   to keep control over or maintain (oneself or one's feelings) in a certain state or condition

   possess yourself in patience until I tell you the news

9. archaic.
   to gain or seize

Derived Forms

• posˈsessor, noun

Other Words From

• pos·sessor noun
• pos·sessor·ship noun
• under·pos·sessor noun
• unpos·sessing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of possess¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English possesen, from Middle French possess(i)er, noun derived from possession possession

Word History and Origins

Origin of possess¹

C15: from Old French possesser, from Latin possidēre to own, occupy; related to Latin sedēre to sit

Synonym Study

See have.

Example Sentences

For the companies that didn’t participate, it raises the concern that they might possess information that indicates the toxic metals in their foods might be even higher than their competitors.

From Washington Post

A just society must be consciously constructed by citizens possessing certain virtues.

From Washington Post

Not only does it have a spike protein mutation that could lead to a higher infection rate, it possesses what’s called an “escape mutation.”

From Washington Post

They also possess their own first- and second-round draft choices.

From Washington Post

By implication, Earth must therefore possess some climate-stabilising feedbacks but at the same time good fortune must also have been involved in it staying habitable.

From Popular-Science

As a white, educated, Western, middle-class male, I possess most of the unearned privilege the world has to offer.

From The Daily Beast

That thing we seemed to possess was not the other, but an image of them we formed—they themselves are still free.

From The Daily Beast

I know that many people do not feel they possess their partners and lovers.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, the original Burroughs books possess a clear “green” streak that now seems quite prescient.

From The Daily Beast

The Fish and Wildlife officer told him that it was illegal to possess a protected species or a raptor.

From The Daily Beast

Any one may possess the portrait of a tragedian without exciting suspicion or comment.

From Project Gutenberg

Not a dollar did he possess—not even did he have a suit of clothes any more, and wore every day his corduroys.

From Project Gutenberg

My entrails were troubled in seeking her: therefore shall I possess a good possession.

From Project Gutenberg

"Doa Estefania, have no fear; you possess an infallible preservative," exclaimed the cappellan.

From Project Gutenberg

Tausig, in my opinion, did possess exceptional genius in composition, though he left but few works behind him to attest it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquire
• carry
• enjoy
• maintain
• occupy
• own
• retain
• seize