possessed; possessing; possesses
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
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?
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
Brade possesses adequate athleticism to compete in the pros.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
Granted, the rebuilding Nationals (10-14) hardly possess a juggernaut lineup.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Neither Wasson nor Garza legally could possess a gun because of past felony convictions.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024
The premise—a coven of witches lives inside the prestigious Tanz Akademie and possesses its dance students—is merely a delivery system for Argento’s psychotropic mise en scene, which intensifies as the viewer plunges deeper into the secrets of the dance academy.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
China possesses one of the largest and most advanced militaries in the world, with expeditionary capabilities and a growing overseas footprint.
—Evan S. Medeiros, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Some are privately owned by collectors in the United Kingdom, while others are housed in French churches; Notre-Dame possesses 13.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Read More: How 'Women's Empowerment' Lost Its Meaning Eighteenth- and 19th-century women did not possess rights as full citizens in the United States.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
The worker must also not be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, and carrying a handgun under the laws of Tennessee or federal law as determined by a background check.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 21 Apr. 2024
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
Granted, the rebuilding Nationals (10-14) hardly possess a juggernaut lineup.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Neither Wasson nor Garza legally could possess a gun because of past felony convictions.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024
The premise—a coven of witches lives inside the prestigious Tanz Akademie and possesses its dance students—is merely a delivery system for Argento’s psychotropic mise en scene, which intensifies as the viewer plunges deeper into the secrets of the dance academy.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
China possesses one of the largest and most advanced militaries in the world, with expeditionary capabilities and a growing overseas footprint.
—Evan S. Medeiros, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Some are privately owned by collectors in the United Kingdom, while others are housed in French churches; Notre-Dame possesses 13.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Read More: How 'Women's Empowerment' Lost Its Meaning Eighteenth- and 19th-century women did not possess rights as full citizens in the United States.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
The worker must also not be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, and carrying a handgun under the laws of Tennessee or federal law as determined by a background check.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 21 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'possess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near possess
Cite this Entry
“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possess. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
possess
transitive verb
pos·sess
pə-ˈzes 
: to have possession of
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