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Its is defined as the possessive form of it, meaning the thing that belongs to “it.”

(pronoun)

An example of its is the phrase its cover which means the cover that belongs to the book.

See its in Webster's New World College Dictionary

pronoun

that or those belonging to it: the possessive form of it, used without a following noun

Origin: Early ModE analogical formation < it + ʼs; written it's until early 19th c.: the ME & OE form was his

possessive pronominal adjective

of, belonging to, made by, or done by it

See its in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective The possessive form of it.

Used as a modifier before a noun: The airline canceled its early flight to New York.

Origin:

Origin: Alteration of it's

Origin: : it

Origin: + -'s

Usage Note: Its is the possessive form of the pronoun it and is correctly written without an apostrophe. It should not be confused with the contraction it's (for it is or it has), which should always have an apostrophe.

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