possession
possession — noun
1. the state in which something is yours to keep, use, or control as you wish.
the state in which something is yours to keep, use, or control as you wish.
The old keys to the storage unit are now in my possession.
Haruto was charged with possession of stolen electronics from the lab.
possession of [stolen items] — crime/ownership context
When the final payment is made, legal possession of the car passes to the buyer.
Lisa kept the signed contract in her possession until the deal closed.
The ancient sword has remained in the temple's possession for over three centuries.
文法句型
in [someone's] possession
possession of [something]
用法筆記
Frequently used in legal and formal contexts with the prepositional phrase 'in [someone's] possession' or the noun phrase 'possession of [something]'.
常見錯誤
2. an object or item that belongs to you, especially something you own, keep, or ca
an object or item that belongs to you, especially something you own, keep, or carry with you.
Salma packed all her possessions into two cardboard boxes before the move.
A fire destroyed every possession the Martínez family owned.
Among Henrik's few possessions was a worn leather journal filled with notes.
Tomás lost his most valuable possession — a silver watch from his grandfather.
Before boarding, passengers must declare any valuable possessions in their luggage.
- belongings
more informal, everyday word for things you own
- property
broader term that can include land, buildings, and intangible assets
- assets
financial or business term for things of value owned by a person or company
- effects
formal term for personal items, often used in legal contexts ('personal effects')
文法句型
[someone's] possessions
personal possessions
valuable possessions
用法筆記
Commonly used in the plural form 'possessions' to refer to a collection of things a person owns. The singular 'a possession' typically singles out one item of personal significance.
常見錯誤
3. a territory or region governed by a more powerful country, often located far fro
a territory or region governed by a more powerful country, often located far from the ruling nation.
The small island was a British possession until it gained independence in 1965.
European powers competed for overseas possessions in Africa during the nineteenth century.
overseas possessions — territory remote from the ruling country
The former French possession now operates as an independent republic.
Trade routes connected the empire to its distant possessions across the ocean.
- colony
more common word for a settlement governed by a distant power
- territory
broader term for a region under the control of a state
- dependency
a territory that relies on a parent state for governance and protection
- independent state
a country with full self-governance
文法句型
[country]'s possession
overseas possession
former possession
用法筆記
This sense is primarily historical and political. Modern equivalents such as 'overseas territory' or 'dependency' are more common in current usage.
4. the condition or period during which a team or player controls the ball in sport
the condition or period during which a team or player controls the ball in sports such as football, basketball, or rugby.
The home team kept possession for most of the second half.
James stole possession from the opposing player near the goal line.
steal possession — defensive action in ball sports
Good possession play is the key to winning matches in rugby.
The coach shouted at the players to hold onto possession instead of taking risky kicks.
Baraka's quick pass helped the team regain possession after the turnover.
- control
simpler, everyday word; 'possession' is the sport-specific term
- ball control
emphasises the skill of keeping the ball, not just the state
文法句型
keep possession
lose possession
have possession of the ball
用法筆記
Used in British English more than American English for football (soccer) and rugby. In American sports, 'possession' is used in basketball and American football, but for baseball the term is 'at bat' or 'inning'.
5. the action of moving into and using a property or location as your own, regardle
the action of moving into and using a property or location as your own, regardless of whether you hold legal title to it.
The new owners will take possession of the apartment next Monday.
take possession of [property] — standard real estate phrase
Protesters took possession of the abandoned factory to use as a community space.
Soldiers moved in and took possession of the strategic hill before dawn.
The gardening club has taken possession of the empty lot to plant vegetables.
Once you pay the deposit, you can take immediate possession of the rental house.
- occupation
neutral term for living in or using a space
- seizure
implies taking control by force
- acquisition
focuses on the gaining of ownership rather than physical occupation
- eviction
being forced to leave a property
- relinquishment
voluntarily giving up occupation of a place
文法句型
take possession of [place]
gain possession of [property]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'take possession of'. In real estate, 'vacant possession' means the property is empty and ready for the new owner to move in.
6. a condition in which people think that a supernatural force has taken hold of a
a condition in which people think that a supernatural force has taken hold of a person's mind and actions.
The villagers believed the young woman was suffering from demonic possession.
In the film, the family asks a priest to end the possession through exorcism.
exorcism — the ritual to end possession
Historical records describe cases of possession that doctors now understand as epilepsy.
The ceremony was designed to protect the household from possession by evil spirits.
- demonic possession
more specific term for control by an evil entity
- spirit possession
broader term that includes control by non-demonic spirits
- obsession
in historical religious language, 'obsession' meant external attack by a demon, while 'possession' meant internal control
- exorcism
the act of driving a spirit out, ending possession
文法句型
[evil spirit] possession
possession by [a demon/spirit]
用法筆記
Used in religious, anthropological, and horror contexts. Discriminate from sense 1 ('OWNERSHIP') — demonic possession is about control, not ownership. In psychological terminology, 'dissociative identity disorder' is the modern clinical diagnosis for what was historically called possession.
7. the legal charge or crime of having prohibited items such as drugs, weapons, or
the legal charge or crime of having prohibited items such as drugs, weapons, or stolen property in your control.
The athlete was arrested for possession of banned performance-enhancing drugs.
possession of [banned substances] — drug-related legal charge
Vivek faces up to five years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm.
The new law reduces penalties for simple possession of marijuana in small amounts.
Tariro was found guilty of possession of stolen vehicles and equipment.
Possession of certain protected wild animals without a permit is against the law.
- custody
in law, 'custody' implies immediate physical control but does not cover the criminal charge sense
文法句型
possession of [drugs/weapons/stolen goods]
charged with possession
用法筆記
In legal language, 'possession' is often paired with a modifier: 'simple possession' (having a small amount for personal use), 'possession with intent to supply' (having drugs to sell). Distinguish from sense 1 ('OWNERSHIP') — in this sense, 'possession' means physical control, not legal ownership.