possess

American

[puh-zes] / pəˈzɛs /

verb (used with object)

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

to possess a house and a car.
to have as a faculty, quality, or the like.

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

He thought he was possessed by devils.
(of a feeling, idea, etc.) to dominate or actuate in the manner of such a spirit.

He was possessed by envy.
(of a man) to succeed in having sexual intercourse with.
to have knowledge of.

to possess a language.
to keep or maintain (oneself, one's mind, etc.) in a certain state, as of peace, patience, etc.
to maintain control over (oneself, one's mind, etc.).
to impart to; inform; familiarize (often followed by of orwith ).

to possess someone of the facts of the case.
to cause to be dominated or influenced, as by an idea, feeling, etc.
to make (someone) owner, holder, or master, as of property, information, etc..

He possessed them of the facts.
to seize or take.
to gain or win.
to occupy or hold.

possess British

/ pəˈzɛs /

verb

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

to possess good eyesight
to have knowledge or mastery of

to possess a little French
to gain control over or dominate

whatever possessed you to act so foolishly?
(foll by of) to cause to be the owner or possessor

I am possessed of the necessary information
(often foll by with) to cause to be influenced or dominated (by)

the news possessed him with anger
to have sexual intercourse with
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
archaic to gain or seize

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See have.

Other Word Forms

possessor noun
possessorship noun
underpossessor noun
unpossessing adjective

Etymology

Origin of possess

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

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.

Rwanda, which possesses one of the most effective militaries in Africa, stopped the militants’ advance and stabilized the province.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Zenovich possesses the interviewer’s most valuable skill, knowing when to shut up.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was also convicted of possessing a knife, which police found upon arrest.

From BBC

If the cottonmouths hadn’t been enraged before, they were now, determined to destroy the possessed branch that had just bludgeoned three of their friends.

From Literature

But as the machines possess neither of those qualities, it’s unlikely they would be able to impart them in a classroom.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023