possess
verb (used with object)
to have as belonging to one; have as property; own.
possessing
-
present participleof possess.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
Receiving the first possession now comes with a different upside: the first crack at possessing the ball again if the two teams are still tied.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Known as an abyssal species, it slothfully trawls the shadows like some mournful Lovecraftian being, possessing an especially sluggish metabolism, which isn’t surprising considering its size.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026
In 2020, North Korea made possessing foreign media a crime punishable by years-long forced labour terms –- and potential death sentences for large-scale distribution, according to Amnesty International.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
But looking like a world-level star and possessing world-level ability are not the same thing.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
“Do you really think I would risk attacking the Bureau for the Black Book without already possessing the Black Key?”
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
