possession

American  

[puh-zesh-uhn] / pəˈzɛʃ ən /

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.

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possession British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See custody.

Other Word Forms

• nonpossession noun

Etymology

Origin of possession

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

Example Sentences

In terms of winning possession back across the pitch and the final third, Salah has improved compared with last season.

From BBC

The final novel from Mario Vargas Llosa, Allegra Goodman’s family saga, a case of canine possession and more.

From The Wall Street Journal

We often heard her say, “Is this a disembodied spirit that has taken possession of my dear children?”

From Literature

Once a UFL team crosses the 50-yard line, it will no longer be allowed to punt on that possession—even if a penalty or loss or yardage sends the offense back into its own territory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most people Gareth encountered while he was sleeping on the streets were kind, but he says some made critical comments and stole his possessions in the night.

From BBC

Related Words

• custody