possession Hear it!

possession Definition

pos·ses·sion (pə zes̸h′ən)

noun

  1. a possessing or being possessed, as by ownership or occupancy; hold
  2. anything possessed
  3. property; wealth
  4. territory ruled by an outside country
  5. control of oneself
  6. Sports actual control of the ball or puck in play

Etymology: OFr < L possessio

possession Related Forms

pos·ses′·sional adjective

possession Synonyms

possession

n.

  1. Ownership

    proprietary rights, hold, mastery; see ownership.

  2. Property

    personal property, real estate, something possessed; see property 1, 2.

  3. A colony

    settlement, territory, dependency; see colony 1.

possession Law Definition

n

Exercising dominion over property; having custody and control of property. See also custody and ownership.
actual possession
Immediate physical control, and, therefore, occupancy, of real property.
adverse possession
See adverse possession.
constructive possession
Having the power and intention of exercising control and dominion of real property, but lacking actual presence on or direct control of same.
criminal possession
Unlawful possession of proscribed articles, such as drugs, assault weapons, and so on, or being in possession of something that individual is proscribed from possessing.
hostile possession
See hostile possession.
notorious possession
See notorious possession.
peaceable possession
See peaceable possession.

possession Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • regain: It is not normally possible to regain possession of the property within the first six months of an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.
  • treasure: Egg and chips If you could only take three treasured possessions onto a desert island, what would they be?
  • recover: The landlord will always be able to recover possession under the section 21 procedure.
  • dominate: This seemed to kickstart the Uni into action, who soon began to dominate possession, especially in midfield.
  • retain: Saracens were limited to attacking from Wasps errors as the champions retained some good possession going into the last quarter.

Adjective modifier

  • vacant: Land with vacant possession is likely to be more valuable.
  • prized: During the attack, the gang also steals her most prized possession, a red diamond given to her by her deceased mother.
  • demonic: C ) Walk the streets, shouting at foolish parents who are leaving their children open to demonic possession and Satan's influence.
  • worldly: While moving from Oregon to Montana several years ago, my husband was driving the U-Haul packed with all of our worldly possessions.
  • adverse: A squatter will be able to apply to be registered as proprietor after ten years ' adverse possession.
  • precious: The High Lady of the Hollow Hill is seeking to trap a thief who has stolen her most precious possession.

Modifies a noun

proceeding: In either case, the landlord would have grounds to begin possession proceedings.

Noun used with modifier

  • cannabis: There are 2 changes: Retaining the power of arrest for cannabis possession offenses.
  • marijuana: In late October, Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that the British government will soon abandon the policy of arresting people for marijuana possession.

Preposition: in

midfield: Bakke 8.5 - MoM Another impressive game, seemed to swallow up most of the possession in midfield.

Preposition: of

  • cannabis: There will be a presumption against arrest for adults in possession of cannabis for personal use.
  • firearm: In this country before 1920 there were no controls on the civilian possession of firearms.
  • weapon: Israel is also the only state in the region in possession of nuclear weapons.
  • passport: You should be in possession of a valid passport, with a minimum validity of three months.

Preposition: with

intent: In May 2005 USHER was sentenced to 3 years for possession with intent to supply.