possess

verb

pos·​sess pə-ˈzes 

also

-ˈses 

possessed; possessing; possesses

transitive verb

1

a

: to have and hold as property : own

b

: to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

2

a

: to seize and take control of : take into one's possession

b

: to enter into and control firmly : dominate

was possessed by demons

c

: to bring or cause to fall under the influence, domination, or control of some emotional or intellectual response or reaction

melancholy possesses her

3

a

obsolete : to instate as owner

b

: to make the owner or holder

—used in passive construction to indicate simple possession

possessed of riches

possessed of knowledge and experience

possessor

pə-ˈze-sər 

 also  -ˈse-

noun

Synonyms

• command
• enjoy
• have
• hold
• own
• retain

Examples of possess in a Sentence

What would possess seemingly sane people to treat concrete walls like trampolines? —Alice Park, Time, 16 Apr. 2007

People who experience specific colors when looking at particular letters, such as seeing sky blue when shown an R, possess an unusual abundance of connections in brain areas involved in word and color perception, a new brain-imaging investigation finds. —Bruce Bower, Science News, 26 May 2007

What does matter is that we come to recognize that playfulness, as a philosophical stance, can be very serious, indeed; and, moreover, that it possesses an unfailing capacity to arouse ridicule and hostility in those among us who crave certainty, reverence, and restraint. —Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004

nations that possess nuclear weapons

The defendant was charged with possessing cocaine.

The ruby was once possessed by an ancient queen.

He dreams of someday possessing great wealth.

He possesses a keen wit.

The drug possesses the potential to suppress tumors.

Do dolphins possess the ability to use language?

Recent Examples on the Web

But foreign experts say the test failed to show North Korea has mastered some of the last remaining technological hurdles to possess functioning ICBMs that can strike the mainland United States. —Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024

The property, originally built in 1917, possessed no shortage of historical intrigue. —Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 1 Nov. 2024

While the data do not show a direct correlation between fin aspect ratio and body size across all species, larger pelagic sharks tend to possess higher aspect ratios in their pectoral fins. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

This is the story of what happened in Loudun, France, in 1632, when an entire convent of nuns was found to be possessed by demons. —Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French possesser to have possession of, take possession of, from Latin possessus, past participle of possidēre, from potis able, having the power + sedēre to sit — more at potent, sit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

possess

verb

pos·​sess pə-ˈzes 

1

a

: to have and hold as property : own

b

: to have as a characteristic, knowledge, or skill

possesses a keen wit

2

: to enter into and control firmly : dominate

possessed by a demon

whatever possessed you to do that

possessor

-ˈzes-ər

noun

Legal Definition

possess

transitive verb

pos·​sess pə-ˈzes 

: to have possession of