Possession Meaning
/pəˈzɛʃn̩/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA control or occupancy of something for which one does not necessarily have private property rights.
nounSomething that is owned.
Sentence Examples
Prospect is often better than possession.
Possession is nine-tenths of the law.
They were imprisoned for possession of drugs.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the fire, the only thing saved was a small personal ____ of great value.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The antique clock had been in the family's ____ for over a hundred years before being sold.
Word Origin & History
From Latin possessiō, possessiōnis. Equivalent to possess + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Once complete, guide rails will be installed inside the tunnels ready for the box jack itself - which NR intends to push into place during a nine-day engineering possession in September, following a trial push in late August. [...] A small number of weekday and weekend possessions will also be required on June 20-21, September 5-6, and between December 19-March 2021, [...]"
— 2020 April 8, Paul Stephen, “ECML dive-under drives divergence”, in Rail, page 44:
"How long hath this possession held the man?"
— c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
"Their first half was marred by the entire side playing too deep, completely unable to build up any form of decent possession once the ball left their bewildered defence."
— 2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the fire, the only thing saved was a small personal ____ of great value.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The antique clock had been in the family's ____ for over a hundred years before being sold.