What does possession mean?
Possession means having, owning, or controlling something, and it can also refer to the item or items held in that way. The word is especially useful because it covers more than simple ownership: a person may have possession of a document, a team may have possession of the ball, and a government may have possession of a disputed territory. In legal language, 'in possession of' describes holding or controlling property, evidence, or documents, without necessarily implying ultimate ownership. The plural 'possessions' commonly denotes a person's belongings, while 'take possession' means taking control or beginning to hold something. In grammar and general discussion, possession can describe a relationship between a person and something regarded as theirs. Its slightly formal tone in legal contexts contrasts with the more everyday phrase 'have' or 'own'.
nounThe fact of owning or having something, or the right to control or use it. It can also refer to something owned or held by a person or organization.
- The state of owning, having, or legally holding something.
- The right or ability to control or use something.
- Something owned or held by a person; usually used in the plural.
- A form of control or influence over a person, situation, or system.
- In grammar, the state of being owned or controlled, especially in constructions involving possession.
"The company took possession of the new office building last week."
"The documents are in the possession of the legal team."
"The team's confident possession of the ball secured the victory."
"The house contains many possessions inherited from her grandfather."
Used especially for a person's belongings or assets, as in 'They moved all their possessions.' The singular 'possession' is more often used for the state of holding or controlling something.
"Her possessions were packed into two large suitcases."
Possession is more than ownership: it also describes the immediate control of something, even when temporary.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of possession
Possession comes from Latin possessio, a noun formed from possidere or potiri, meaning 'to possess' or 'to take possession of.' The Latin root was also the source of English 'possess,' 'possessive,' and 'possessor.' The English noun developed in the late medieval period and originally emphasized the act or state of possessing before extending to the thing possessed.
Related word forms
How possession is actually used
The phrase 'in possession of' is formal and commonly means having or holding something. The countable sense meaning an owned item is normally plural; 'a possession' is possible but less common in modern usage. In legal and sporting contexts, the word can refer to control or effective holding rather than ownership.
Easily confused with possession
Possession can mean either the state of owning or controlling something or the thing owned; when used for the latter, it is usually plural, as in 'personal possessions.'