possession

possession — noun

1. the state in which something is yours to keep, use, or control as you wish.

1.nounB1
Definition

the state in which something is yours to keep, use, or control as you wish.

Example

The old keys to the storage unit are now in my possession.

Haruto was charged with possession of stolen electronics from the lab.

possession of [stolen items] — crime/ownership context

Common collocations
  • in possession of
  • come into possession of
  • remain in [someone's] possession
Synonyms
  • ownership

    emphasises the legal right to something rather than the fact of having it

  • custody

    implies care and keeping of something, often on behalf of another

  • tenure

    refers to the period or conditions of holding something, especially land or a position

Antonyms
  • lack

    the absence or shortage of something

  • loss

    the fact of no longer having something you once possessed

Grammar Patterns

in [someone's] possession

possession of [something]

Usage Note

Frequently used in legal and formal contexts with the prepositional phrase 'in [someone's] possession' or the noun phrase 'possession of [something]'.

Common Mistakes

This car is my possession' (sounds unnatural for everyday ownership).
This car belongs to me.
'possession' is more formal and used in legal or structured contexts, not casual speech.

2. an object or item that belongs to you, especially something you own, keep, or ca

2.nounB1
Definition

an object or item that belongs to you, especially something you own, keep, or carry with you.

Example

Salma packed all her possessions into two cardboard boxes before the move.

A fire destroyed every possession the Martínez family owned.

Common collocations
  • personal possessions
  • prized possessions
  • worldly possessions
  • valuable possessions
  • all [someone's] possessions
Synonyms
  • belongings

    more informal, everyday word for things you own

  • property

    broader term that can include land, buildings, and intangible assets

  • assets

    financial or business term for things of value owned by a person or company

  • effects

    formal term for personal items, often used in legal contexts ('personal effects')

Grammar Patterns

[someone's] possessions

personal possessions

valuable possessions

Usage Note

Commonly used in the plural form 'possessions' to refer to a collection of things a person owns. The singular 'a possession' typically singles out one item of personal significance.

Common Mistakes

I need to take my possession to work' (singular sounds odd for everyday items).
I need to take my things to work.
the plural 'possessions' is used for a set of belongings; the singular 'possession' emphasises a single important item.

3. a territory or region governed by a more powerful country, often located far fro

3.nounB2
Definition

a territory or region governed by a more powerful country, often located far from the ruling nation.

Example

The small island was a British possession until it gained independence in 1965.

European powers competed for overseas possessions in Africa during the nineteenth century.

overseas possessions — territory remote from the ruling country

Common collocations
  • overseas possession
  • former possession
  • colonial possession
Synonyms
  • colony

    more common word for a settlement governed by a distant power

  • territory

    broader term for a region under the control of a state

  • dependency

    a territory that relies on a parent state for governance and protection

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[country]'s possession

overseas possession

former possession

Usage Note

This sense is primarily historical and political. Modern equivalents such as 'overseas territory' or 'dependency' are more common in current usage.

4. the condition or period during which a team or player controls the ball in sport

4.nounB2
Definition

the condition or period during which a team or player controls the ball in sports such as football, basketball, or rugby.

Example

The home team kept possession for most of the second half.

James stole possession from the opposing player near the goal line.

steal possession — defensive action in ball sports

Common collocations
  • keep possession
  • lose possession
  • win possession
  • regain possession
  • possession of the ball
Synonyms
  • control

    simpler, everyday word; 'possession' is the sport-specific term

  • ball control

    emphasises the skill of keeping the ball, not just the state

Grammar Patterns

keep possession

lose possession

have possession of the ball

Usage Note

Used in British English more than American English for football (soccer) and rugby. In American sports, 'possession' is used in basketball and American football, but for baseball the term is 'at bat' or 'inning'.

5. the action of moving into and using a property or location as your own, regardle

5.nounB2
Definition

the action of moving into and using a property or location as your own, regardless of whether you hold legal title to it.

Example

The new owners will take possession of the apartment next Monday.

take possession of [property] — standard real estate phrase

Protesters took possession of the abandoned factory to use as a community space.

Common collocations
  • take possession of
  • gain possession
  • vacant possession
  • immediate possession
Synonyms
  • occupation

    neutral term for living in or using a space

  • seizure

    implies taking control by force

  • acquisition

    focuses on the gaining of ownership rather than physical occupation

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

take possession of [place]

gain possession of [property]

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'take possession of'. In real estate, 'vacant possession' means the property is empty and ready for the new owner to move in.

6. a condition in which people think that a supernatural force has taken hold of a

6.nounC1
Definition

a condition in which people think that a supernatural force has taken hold of a person's mind and actions.

Example

The villagers believed the young woman was suffering from demonic possession.

In the film, the family asks a priest to end the possession through exorcism.

exorcism — the ritual to end possession

Common collocations
  • demonic possession
  • spirit possession
  • possession by [a demon/spirit]
Synonyms
  • demonic possession

    more specific term for control by an evil entity

  • spirit possession

    broader term that includes control by non-demonic spirits

  • obsession

    in historical religious language, 'obsession' meant external attack by a demon, while 'possession' meant internal control

Antonyms
  • exorcism

    the act of driving a spirit out, ending possession

Grammar Patterns

[evil spirit] possession

possession by [a demon/spirit]

Usage Note

Used in religious, anthropological, and horror contexts. Discriminate from sense 1 ('OWNERSHIP') — demonic possession is about control, not ownership. In psychological terminology, 'dissociative identity disorder' is the modern clinical diagnosis for what was historically called possession.

7. the legal charge or crime of having prohibited items such as drugs, weapons, or

7.nounB2
Definition

the legal charge or crime of having prohibited items such as drugs, weapons, or stolen property in your control.

Example

The athlete was arrested for possession of banned performance-enhancing drugs.

possession of [banned substances] — drug-related legal charge

Vivek faces up to five years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm.

Common collocations
  • possession of drugs/weapons/stolen goods
  • simple possession
  • illegal possession
  • charged with possession
  • possession with intent
Synonyms
  • custody

    in law, 'custody' implies immediate physical control but does not cover the criminal charge sense

Grammar Patterns

possession of [drugs/weapons/stolen goods]

charged with possession

Usage Note

In legal language, 'possession' is often paired with a modifier: 'simple possession' (having a small amount for personal use), 'possession with intent to supply' (having drugs to sell). Distinguish from sense 1 ('OWNERSHIP') — in this sense, 'possession' means physical control, not legal ownership.

Common Mistakes

The police found drugs in his possession, so he was charged with ownership.
...so he was charged with possession.
'possession' is the legal term for having illegal items; 'ownership' refers to legal rights over something.
Idioms

possession is nine tenths of the law

idiom

an expression meaning that if you already have control of something, it is hard for someone else to take it from you, even if they have a legal claim.

The old farmer knew that possession is nine tenths of the law, so he refused to leave the land.

My neighbour moved his fence while I was away — he thinks possession is nine tenths of the law.

Word family

  • possess
    verbB2
  • possessed
    adjectiveC1
  • possessor
    nounC1
  • possessive
    adjectiveB2
  • possessiveness
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In the sense of having or controlling something, 'possession' is the most general term — it simply means something is in your hands or under your control, regardless of legal right. 'Ownership' implies full legal title and the right to sell or give away the thing. You can have possession of a rented car without owning it. 'Custody' suggests keeping something safe on behalf of another person — a lawyer may hold a will in her custody for a client. 'Tenure' is narrower, referring to the period or conditions under which you hold a position or property, especially academic posts or land rights. For example: the tenant has possession of the flat but not ownership; a museum keeps ancient artefacts in its custody; a professor held the position for thirty years under a lifetime tenure.

ownership ↗possession ↗custody ↗tenure ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • possession charge
  • possession claim
  • possession hearing
  • possession hearing

Adverbs

Phrases

  • vacant possession
  • immediate possession
  • sole possession
  • simple possession

Prepositions

  • in possession of
  • take possession of
  • in [someone's] possession
  • possession by

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'possession' entered English through Old French 'possession' in the 13th–14th centuries, coming from Latin 'possessio' (the act of possessing). The Latin verb 'possidere' — 'to possess, take control of' — was formed from 'potis' (able, powerful) and 'sedere' (to sit). The original image is of someone who 'sits in power' over something — a picture of stable control that has carried through into the modern meanings of the word.