possess
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 or with): 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.
Origin of possess
1synonym study For possess
Other words from possess
- pos·ses·sor, noun
- pos·ses·sor·ship, noun
- un·der·pos·ses·sor, noun
- un·pos·sess·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use possess in a sentence
I believe that humans today still possess the capabilities of the ancients.
Has technology made us worse hunters? | By Henry Bunn/Outdoor Life | October 27, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThrough two games of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers — owners of the best record in the majors — and the Tampa Bay Rays, possessing the best record in the AL this season, have each won a game.
What 2 Games Of The World Series Have Shown Us | Travis Sawchik | October 23, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightBecause gluons possess color charge themselves, they constantly interact with one another as well as with quarks.
A New Map of All the Particles and Forces | Natalie Wolchover, Samuel Velasco and Lucy Reading-Ikkanda | October 22, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThe important thing to think about is do these underground lakes perhaps possess Martian life.
Podcast: How democracies can reclaim digital power | Anthony Green | October 15, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewIt’s enormously more powerful than when everyone merely possesses the same facts.
Facts aren’t the most powerful tool in the event of a contested election | Geoffrey Colvin | October 13, 2020 | Fortune
He was charged with two counts of possessing a raptor and two counts of possessing a protected species.
In 2010, however, a Georgian court sentenced Batirashvili to three years of jail for illegally possessing a weapon.
ISIS Is Putin’s Problem, Too, and This Chechen Is One Reason Why. | Anna Nemtsova | September 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMorgan is a convicted felon and therefore barred from possessing firearms.
The Mystery of Donald Ray Morgan, the 44-Year-Old American Who Loved ISIS | Michael Daly | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn November 2013, it was reported that 80 prisoners were publicly executed, many for possessing Bibles.
Soldier N was found guilty of possessing illegal firearms and was sentenced to two years in prison.
The Man at the Center of the Princess Diana Conspiracy | Nico Hines | August 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTHigh-minded and possessing a keen sense of honor himself, he had an instinctive aversion to anything mean or low in others.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowIt is good for a man to have friends, and I have been fortunate throughout my life in possessing many.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowThese may be said to be pure in tone, but not possessing the other requisites they fail in commanding attention.
Violins and Violin Makers | Joseph PearceHe is described by Calamy as having been a good scholar, and possessing a taste for poetry.
The strangest materials were used in their construction; the public taste leaning towards relics possessing historical interest.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.
British Dictionary definitions for possess
/ (pəˈzɛs) /
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
Origin of possess
1Derived forms of possess
- possessor, noun
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
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