possession
possession — 名詞
1. the state in which something is yours to keep, use, or control as you wish.
擁有；持有
擁有或持有某物的狀態
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.
儲藏室的舊鑰匙現在由我保管。
Haruto was charged with possession of stolen electronics from the lab.
Haruto 被指控持有實驗室被盜的電子設備。
possession of [stolen items] — crime/ownership context
When the final payment is made, legal possession of the car passes to the buyer.
付清最後一筆款項後，這輛車的法律擁有權就轉移給買方。
Lisa kept the signed contract in her possession until the deal closed.
Lisa 一直保管著簽署好的合約，直到交易完成。
The ancient sword has remained in the temple's possession for over three centuries.
這把古劍由寺廟保管已超過三個世紀。
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
財物；所有物
個人擁有的物品
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.
Salma 把所有財物裝進兩個紙箱裡準備搬家。
A fire destroyed every possession the Martínez family owned.
一場大火燒毀了 Martínez 一家所有的財物。
Among Henrik's few possessions was a worn leather journal filled with notes.
Henrik 僅有的幾樣物品中有一本破舊的皮面筆記本，裡面寫滿了筆記。
Tomás lost his most valuable possession — a silver watch from his grandfather.
Tomás 失去了他最珍貴的財物——一只祖父給他的銀色手錶。
Before boarding, passengers must declare any valuable possessions in their luggage.
登機前，乘客必須申報行李中的所有貴重物品。
- 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
屬地；殖民地
由強國統治的領土區域
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.
這座小島原是英國屬地，直到 1965 年才獨立。
European powers competed for overseas possessions in Africa during the nineteenth century.
十九世紀期間，歐洲列強在非洲爭奪海外屬地。
overseas possessions — territory remote from the ruling country
The former French possession now operates as an independent republic.
這片前法國屬地現已成為獨立共和國。
Trade routes connected the empire to its distant possessions across the ocean.
貿易路線將帝國與其散布在海洋各處的屬地連接起來。
- 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
控球
在運動比賽中掌握球權的狀態
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.
主隊在下半場大部分時間都保持控球。
James stole possession from the opposing player near the goal line.
James 在球門線附近從對方球員腳下搶走了控球權。
steal possession — defensive action in ball sports
Good possession play is the key to winning matches in rugby.
良好的控球是贏得橄欖球比賽的關鍵。
The coach shouted at the players to hold onto possession instead of taking risky kicks.
教練對球員大喊，要他們穩住控球，不要冒險踢球。
Baraka's quick pass helped the team regain possession after the turnover.
Baraka 的快速傳球幫助球隊在失誤後重新取得控球權。
- 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
佔有；佔領
開始使用或佔領房產土地
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.
新房主將在下週一正式入住公寓。
take possession of [property] — standard real estate phrase
Protesters took possession of the abandoned factory to use as a community space.
抗議者佔領了廢棄工廠，將其作為社區活動空間。
Soldiers moved in and took possession of the strategic hill before dawn.
士兵們在黎明前佔領了這處戰略要地。
The gardening club has taken possession of the empty lot to plant vegetables.
園藝社團接管了那塊空地，用來種植蔬菜。
Once you pay the deposit, you can take immediate possession of the rental house.
付完押金後，你就能立即入住這棟出租房屋。
- 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
著魔；附身
被邪靈控制身體與心智的狀態
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.
村民們相信那位年輕女子遭到魔鬼附身。
In the film, the family asks a priest to end the possession through exorcism.
電影中，那家人請來神父進行驅魔儀式，以終結附身狀態。
exorcism — the ritual to end possession
Historical records describe cases of possession that doctors now understand as epilepsy.
歷史文獻中記載的著魔案例，現代醫生認為是癲癇症狀。
The ceremony was designed to protect the household from possession by evil spirits.
這場儀式旨在保護這戶人家不受邪靈附身。
- 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
非法持有
非法持有毒品或武器的罪名
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.
這名運動員因持有禁用的興奮劑而被逮捕。
possession of [banned substances] — drug-related legal charge
Vivek faces up to five years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm.
Vivek 因非法持有槍枝而面臨最高五年的監禁。
The new law reduces penalties for simple possession of marijuana in small amounts.
新法律降低了少量持有大麻的刑罰。
Tariro was found guilty of possession of stolen vehicles and equipment.
Tariro 被判持有贓車和設備的罪名成立。
Possession of certain protected wild animals without a permit is against the law.
未經許可持有某些受保護的野生動物是違法的。
- 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.