Possession — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /pə-ˈze-shən/ pos·ses·sion

Meaning & Definition of Possession

Possession (noun)

  1. the act or condition of having or taking into control
  2. control or occupancy of property without regard to ownership
  3. ownership

Possession (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal

    "a student who was found to have several overdue library books in his possession"

    similar: control, enjoyment, hands, keeping
    related: ownership, proprietorship, authority, command, dominion, mastery, power, repossession, retention, claiming, collaring, commandeering, confiscation, procurement
    opposite: nonpossession
    near: dispossession, relinquishment, surrendering, transferal

  2. transportable items that one owns

    "we packed up all of our possessions and excitedly moved into a new house"

    similar: belongings, chattels, duds, effects, gear, goods, holdings, movables, paraphernalia, personal effects, personal property, personalty, plunder (chiefly dialect), stuff, things
    related: treasures, valuables, appointments, fixtures, furnishings, estate, property, tangibles, collateral
    near: immovables, real estate

  3. the act or fact of residing in a place

    "squatters had established possession in the abandoned warehouse"

    similar: habitation, occupancy, occupation, residency
    related: tenancy, tenantry, ownership, proprietorship, trespass
    near: dispossession, ejection, ejectment, vacancy, vacating, vacation

Related Entry: Self-possession (noun)

Self-possession is a different word from Possession. The synonyms below are for self-possession, not for possession.

  1. evenness of emotions or temper

    "that neurosurgeon's self-possession in the operating room is legendary"

    similar: aplomb, calmness, collectedness, composedness, composure, cool, coolness, countenance, equanimity, equilibrium, imperturbability, placidity, repose, sangfroid, self-composedness, serenity, tranquility, tranquilness
    related: assurance, confidence, poise, self-assurance, self-assuredness, self-confidence, self-trust, easygoingness, laid-backness, apathy, detachment, impassivity, indifference, insensibility, numbness, phlegm, unconcern
    opposite: agitation, discomposure, perturbation
    near: alarm, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, disquiet, solicitude, uneasiness, worry, excitability, excitableness, nervousness, disturbance

  2. the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

    "the little girl's self-possession very occasionally gave way to crying fits"

    similar: continence, restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-restraint, will, willpower
    related: self-abnegation, self-denial, moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness, determination, nerve, command, control, discipline, mastery, abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance, abstinence, soberness, sobriety, aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence, discretion
    near: gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence, excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Possession

The most common words with a similar meaning to Possession:

Chiefly dialect: plunder
control, enjoyment, hands, keeping, belongings, chattels, duds, effects, gear, goods, holdings, movables, paraphernalia, personal effects, personal property, personalty, stuff, things, habitation, occupancy, occupation, residency

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Possession

Words with the opposite meaning of Possession:

nonpossession

Related Words for Possession

ownership, proprietorship, authority, command, dominion, mastery, power, repossession, retention, claiming, collaring, commandeering, confiscation, procurement, treasures, valuables, appointments, fixtures, furnishings, estate, property, tangibles, collateral, tenancy, tenantry, trespass

Near Antonyms of Possession

dispossession, relinquishment, surrendering, transferal, immovables, real estate, ejection, ejectment, vacancy, vacating, vacation

Word Forms of Possession

Derived words: possessional (adjective), possessionless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Possession

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Possession

self-possession, have in one's possession, vacant possession

Frequently Asked Questions about Possession

What does "Possession" mean?

"Possession" means the act or condition of having or taking into control. As a noun, it is defined as: the act or condition of having or taking into control. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Possession"?

Other words for "Possession" include control, enjoyment, hands, keeping, belongings, chattels, duds and effects. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Possession" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Possession"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Possession". Common alternatives include control, enjoyment, hands, keeping, belongings, chattels, duds, effects, gear and goods.

What is the opposite of "Possession"?

Antonyms of "Possession" include nonpossession. Near antonyms include dispossession, relinquishment, surrendering and transferal.

How do you use "Possession" in a sentence?

Examples of "Possession" in a sentence: "a student who was found to have several overdue library books in his possession"; "we packed up all of our possessions and excitedly moved into a new house"; "squatters had established possession in the abandoned warehouse".

Is "Possession" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Possession" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Possession"?

"Possession" is pronounced /pə-ˈze-shən/ and divided into syllables as pos·ses·sion.

What is the origin of the word "Possession"?

First known use: 14th century.