What does "possession" mean?
A control or occupancy of something for which one does not necessarily have private property rights.
Possession
/pəˈzɛʃn̩/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A control or occupancy of something for which one does not necessarily have private property rights.
- Grammar: possession is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: ownership, aberration, abnormality, accessories.
- Useful contrasts: abandonment, absence, dispossessing.
- Usage evidence: Prospect is often better than possession.
How to use "possession"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "possession" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "possession" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "possession" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "possession" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "possession" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ownership" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "possession", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A control or occupancy of something for which one does not necessarily have private property rights. countable, uncountable
"Once complete, guide rails will be installed inside the tunnels ready for the box jack itself - which NR intends to push into place during a nine-day engineering possession in September, following a trial push in late August. [...] A small number of weekday and weekend possessions will also be required on June 20-21, September 5-6, and between December 19-March 2021, [...]"
- 2 anything owned or possessed wordnet
- 3 Something that is owned. countable, uncountable
"The car quickly became his most prized possession."
- 4 the act of having and controlling property wordnet
- 5 An ownership; a taking, a holding, keeping something as one's own. countable, uncountable
"The car is in my possession."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 (sport) the act of controlling the ball (or puck) wordnet
- 7 A territory under the rule of another country. countable, uncountable
"Réunion is the largest of France's overseas possessions."
- 8 the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior wordnet
- 9 The condition or affliction of being possessed by a demon or other supernatural entity. countable, uncountable
"Back then, people with psychiatric disorders were sometimes thought to be victims of demonic possession."
- 10 a territory that is controlled by a ruling state wordnet
- 11 The condition of being under the control of strong emotion or madness. countable, uncountable
- 12 a mania restricted to one thing or idea wordnet
- 13 A control of the ball; the opportunity to be on the offensive. countable, uncountable
"The scoreboard shows a little football symbol next to the name of the team that has possession."
- 14 being controlled by passion or the supernatural wordnet
- 15 A disposal of the ball during a game, i.e. a kick or a handball. countable, uncountable
"2019 In the mix: Who's pushing for selection for round eight? Australian Football League, 7 May 2019. Accessed 7 May 2019. Defender Colin O'Riordan had 41 possessions in the NEAFL last week to continue his outstanding form, while Ryan Clarke had 47 in the Swans' big loss to Brisbane."
- 16 A syntactic relationship between two nouns or nominals that may be used to indicate ownership. countable, uncountable
"Some languages distinguish between a construction like 'my car', which shows alienable possession — the car could become someone else's — and one like 'my foot', which has inalienable possession — my foot will always be mine."
Verb
- 1 To invest with property. obsolete, transitive
Example
"Prospect is often better than possession."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "possession"?
Common synonyms include: ownership, aberration, abnormality, accessories, acquest, acquire.
How do you use "possession" in a sentence?
Prospect is often better than possession.
How do you pronounce "possession"?
Pronounced /pəˈzɛʃn̩/.
Etymology
From Latin possessiō, possessiōnis. Equivalent to possess + -ion.