Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of having, owning, or controlling something: The condition of possessing an object, property, or right.
   • Something that is owned or possessed: An item, asset, or piece of property that belongs to someone.
   • Control of the ball or puck in a sport: In sports like soccer or hockey, the state of a team or player having control of the ball during play.
   • A territory under the control of a foreign power: A region or country that is governed by another state.
   • The state of being dominated by an external force or emotion: Being under the control of a powerful feeling, idea, or supernatural influence.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She took possession of the house after the legal documents were signed.
  • The family's most prized possession was an old painting.
  • Our team maintained possession of the ball for most of the second half.
  • The island was a former colonial possession.
  • He spoke as if in a state of demonic possession.

Advanced Usage

• "In possession of": Having or owning something.
  • The police found him in possession of stolen goods.
• "To take possession of": To assume ownership or control of something.
  • The new owners will take possession of the building next month.
• "To come into possession of": To acquire or receive something.
  • She came into possession of a rare manuscript.

Variants and Related Words

• Possess (verb): To have or own something.
  • He possesses great wealth.
• Possessive (adjective): Showing a desire to own or control; relating to ownership.
  • She has a possessive attitude toward her friends.
• Possessor (noun): A person who owns or possesses something.
  • The possessor of the winning ticket.

Synonyms

• Ownership: The state or right of possessing something.
• Property: Something owned; possessions collectively.
• Control: The power to influence or direct.
• Holdings: Property, especially stocks and bonds.

Related Phrases

• "Possession is nine-tenths of the law" (Idiom): A saying suggesting that ownership is easier to maintain if one has possession of something, or hard to enforce if one does not.
  • He refused to give back the book, claiming that possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Noun

1. (sport) the act of controlling the ball (or puck)
   • they took possession of the ball on their own goal line
2. the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
3. a territory that is controlled by a ruling state
4. a mania restricted to one thing or idea
5. being controlled by passion or the supernatural
6. anything owned or possessed
7. the act of having and controlling property