possession
noun
pos·ses·sion
pə-ˈze-shən 
also -ˈse-
1
a
: the act of having or taking into control
b
: control or occupancy of property without regard to ownership
c
d
: control of the ball or puck
also
: an instance of having such control (as in football)
scored on their first two possessions
2
: something owned, occupied, or controlled : property
3
a
: domination by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
b
: a psychological state in which an individual's normal personality is replaced by another
c
Examples of possession in a Sentence
The city can take possession of the abandoned buildings.
She came into possession of a rare silver coin.
The family lost all of its possessions in the fire.
This ring was my mother's most precious possession.
The defendant was charged with heroin possession.
Recent Examples on the Web
This can range from where to stand to create passing lanes to how quickly or slowly to travel in possession — as Elliott harshly discovered against Sunderland.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Jones was found with more than $5,200 in his possession and a backpack recovered on Madison had $8,300 in cash in it.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The Celtics retained possession after the unsuccessful layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for possession
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Jones was found with more than $5,200 in his possession and a backpack recovered on Madison had $8,300 in cash in it.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The Celtics retained possession after the unsuccessful layup.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for possession
Cite this Entry
“Possession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possession. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
possession
noun
pos·ses·sion
pə-ˈzesh-ən
1
a
: the act of possessing or holding as one's own : ownership
b
: control of property without regard to ownership
2
a
: something held as one's own
b
: an area under the control of but not actually part of a nation
island possessions of the U.S.
3
: control by an idea or influence from outside oneself
Legal Definition
possession
noun
pos·ses·sion
pə-ˈze-shən
1
: the act, fact, or condition of having control of something: as
a
: actual possession in this entry
b
: constructive possession in this entry
c
: knowing dominion and control over a controlled substance or other contraband
d
in the civil law of Louisiana
: the detention or enjoyment of a corporeal thing
e
: control or occupancy of property
—
actual possession
: direct occupancy, use, or control of real property
had actual possession of the land despite a lack of legal title
: direct physical custody, care, or control of property or contraband (as illegal drugs)
actual possession is not necessary to sustain a conviction—State v. Garrison, 896 S.W.2d 689 (1995)
State v. Garrison, 896 S.W.2d 689 (1995)
—
adverse possession
: actual possession of another's real property that is open, hostile, exclusive, continuous, adverse to the claim of the owner, often under a claim of right or color of title, and that may give rise to title in the possessor if carried out for a specified statutory period (as ten years)
also
: the method of acquiring title by such possession see also hostile possession and notorious possession in this entry compare prescription
—
civil possession
in the civil law of Louisiana
: possession that exists by virtue of an intent to be the owner of a property even though one no longer occupies or has physical control of it
—
constructive possession
: possession that exists by virtue of a right (as by title) rather than direct occupancy or control
: the knowing ability and sometimes intent to exercise dominion and control over something (as illegal drugs) either directly or through others
—
hostile possession
: possession (as in adverse possession) that is antagonistic to the claims of all others (as a record owner) and that is carried out with the intention to possess the property exclusively
—
notorious possession
: possession (as in adverse possession) that is so conspicuous that it is generally known by people in the vicinity of the property and so gives rise to a presumption that the owner has notice of it
—
precarious possession
in the civil law of Louisiana
: possession of property that is exercised by another (as a lessee) with the permission of or on behalf of the owner see also acquisitive prescription at prescription
2
: something controlled, occupied, or owned
personal possessions
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share