possession

[puh-zesh-uhn]

noun

1. the act or fact of possessing.

   Synonyms: occupation, tenure

2. the state of being possessed.

3. ownership.

4. Law.,  actual holding or occupancy, either with or without rights of ownership.

5. a thing possessed.

   He packed all his possessions into one trunk.

6. possessions, property or wealth.

7. a territorial dominion of a state.

8. Sports.

   1. physical control of the ball or puck by a player or team.

      He didn't have full possession when he was tackled.

   2. the right of a team to put the ball into play.

      They had possession after the other team sank a free throw.

9. control over oneself, one's mind, etc.

10. domination, actuation, or obsession by a feeling, idea, etc.

11. the feeling or idea itself.

possession

/ pəˈzɛʃən /

noun

1. the act of possessing or state of being possessed

   in possession of the crown

2. anything that is owned or possessed

3. (plural) wealth or property

4. the state of being controlled or dominated by or as if by evil spirits

5. the physical control or occupancy of land, property, etc, whether or not accompanied by ownership

   to take possession of a house

6. a territory subject to a foreign state or to a sovereign prince

   colonial possessions

7. sport control of the ball, puck, etc, as exercised by a player or team

   he lost possession in his own half

Other Word Forms

• nonpossession noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of possession¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin possessiōn-, stem of possessiō “occupancy, act of occupying,” from possess(us) “occupied” (past participle of possidēre “to have in one's control, occupy,” from pos-, combining form of pot(is) “able” + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre “to sit”) + -iō -ion; host ¹, sit ¹

Synonym Study

See custody.

Example Sentences

The jury also found that Bradford fired his weapon in the crime, and that he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Police also found in their possession Wi-Fi jammers, which can be used to disarm cameras and alarms, cellphones, trail cameras, GPS trackers and stolen license plates, the release said.

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Put it this way, if Scotland make it to World Cup next summer, you will not be telling your mate: "Remember when Greece had 67% possession and 15 shots at Hampden?"

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He made it crystal clear that England's star system was over, that players in possession could cement their places by sheer weight of performances, the biggest names no longer guaranteed an automatic recall.

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What they ended up discovering was that their supposed companion was allegedly more interested in their possessions than their time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• custody