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

On the Lakers’ final defensive possession, he stood up and waved his arms to the crowd as the rest of his Lakers teammates joined him on their feet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Despite its lore and beauty, the penacho suffers from a case of contested identity: In Austria, it is a treasured possession of the state.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Police officers responded to the school, searched the individual and quickly confirmed that they were not in possession of any weapons."

Read more on BBC

Out of possession, Caldentey's ability to win the ball back high up the pitch was unrivalled last season, winning the ball in the opponent's third more than anybody in the WSL.

Read more on BBC

Recently, the Broncos went 16 consecutive possessions without a touchdown.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• custody