possessionpos‧ses‧sion /pəˈzeʃən/ ●●○ W3 noun 
The house has been in the family’s possession since the 1500s. That information is not in our possession.in possession of something She was found in possession of stolen goods. How did the painting come into your possession (=how did you get it)? The finance company now has possession of the house. We didn’t take possession of (=get and start using) the car until a few days after the auction.2something you own [countable usually plural] something that you own or have with you at a particular time SYN belongings: He had sold all his possessions and left the country. I packed my remaining possessions into the trunk.treasured/prized/precious possession (=one that is very important to you) This old violin had been her father’s most treasured possession. Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions.3crime [uncountable] law the crime of having illegal drugs or weapons with you or in your homepossession of He was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine.4sport [uncountable] when a person or team has control of the ball in some sportswin/lose/gain etc possession Pittsburgh got possession and scored.5country [countable usually plural] a country controlled or governed by another country: France’s former colonial possessions6evil spirits [uncountable] a situation in which someone’s mind is being controlled by something evil: Was it a case of demonic possession?7in (full) possession of your faculties/senses able to think in a clear and intelligent way, and not crazy or affected by old age8possession is nine-tenths of the law used to say that if you have something, you are likely to be able to keep it, even if it is not yoursCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1phrasesbe in somebody's possession· The painting has been in the family's possession since then.come into somebody's possession· You have a duty not to disclose confidential information that comes into your possession.be in possession of something (=have it)· Before applying for a job, make sure you are in possession of the required qualifications.have something in your possession (=have it)· My father had in his possession a letter written by Winston Churchill.come into possession of something (=start having it)· How did you come into possession of this document?take possession of something (=start having or using it)· At 21, he was entitled to take possession of the property.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivessomebody's personal possessions· We were told that we could take only a few personal possessions with us.somebody's worldly possessions literary (=everything they own)· Over his shoulder hung a bag which contained all his worldly possessions.material possessions (=things you own, rather than personal qualities, relationships etc)· Many of them have lost all their material possessions as a result of the civil war.a precious possession (=one that is valuable or important to you)· A man was salvaging a few precious possessions from the rubble of a bombed house.a prized/treasured possession (=one that is very important to you)· One of my most treasured possessions is a small book of prayers.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Britain's former overseas possessions
- Kortz was charged with theft and possession of stolen property.
- They lost their home and all their possessions in the storm.
- A small, terrified child clutching a satchel with both arms as though it were her most prized possession.
- During their discussions, both had spoken of marriages that were held together first by children, and then by possessions.
- He had no drugs in his possession.
- He pleaded guilty in May to driving without license, marijuana possession and two parking tickets.
- In poor countries, children are the only way a family can increase their possessions.
- On its next possession, Southern Utah turned the ball over on a pass out of bounds.
- Society without jealousy, greed, or possessions.
Longman Language Activatorto have something with you
also have got especially British · Excuse me, do you have change for a dollar?· Have you got a pen I could borrow?· Here, I have a map.· I think you've got my tickets.· The dancers had elaborate costumes with long embroidered skirts.
someone with something has that thing now: · There's a man at the door with a parcel for you.· A woman with a baby in a stroller was looking at clothes.· Rob is the guy with the blue jacket.
to be carrying something in your pocket, bag etc: · I don't have enough change on me for the parking meter.· Jim is the only guy I know who always has a handkerchief on him.
to have something in your pocket, bag, hand etc: · Her address is in my diary but I haven't got it with me.· She had her camera with her on the hike.· You should have your identity card with you at all times.
also have/keep something to hand to have something near you, especially because you might need to use it: have something handy/have something to hand: · When you call, have your credit card handy.· Before you begin make sure you have all the tools you need to hand.keep something handy/keep something to hand: · Keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen.· Keep important telephone numbers to hand by the telephone.
formal to have something in your hand, pocket, bag etc, especially something illegal: · The man who was arrested had an illegal firearm in his possession.· The drugs he had in his possession had an estimated street value of $15,000.
the things that someone owns things someone owns, especially large expensive things such as houses, land, or cars: · Some of the stolen property was discovered in an empty warehouse.school/church/army etc property: · The boys have been charged with damaging school property.private property: · Many state documents were considered as the officer's private property.
all the things that a person owns, which they keep in their home or carry with them: · They lost all their possessions in the floods.personal possessions: · Prisoners are allowed no personal possessions such as photographs of their families.somebody's most treasured/cherished/prized possessions: · One of my most treasured possessions is a small book of prayers.
spoken also stuff spoken informal things such as clothes, records, books, furniture etc that you own: somebody's things/stuff: · She always leaves her things all over the floor.· I don't how know I'm going to fit all my stuff into the new apartment.
things you own such as clothes, equipment, bags etc, especially things you take with you when you are travelling somewhere: · They packed all their belongings into the car and left the city that night.personal belongings: · It doesn't cost much to insure your personal belongings.
property that a person or a company owns and which they would be able to sell if they needed money - used especially in legal or business contexts: · The company has mining assets worth 8 billion Rand.freeze somebody's assets (=not allow them to sell them): · The government announced that it had frozen the assets of three senior bank officials.
all the things that you own - use this especially as a joke when you do not own much: · Two old chairs, a broken jug, and half a candle: these were all his worldly goods.· All her worldly goods were contained in four cardboard boxes.
WORD SETSabet, verbaccusation, nounaccuse, verbaffray, nounarson, nounassault, nounassault and battery, nounbackhander, nounbattery, nounbigamy, nounblack market, nounblack marketeer, nounbreak-in, nounbreaking and entering, nouncaper, nouncapital, adjectivecarjacking, nouncat burglar, nouncontract, nouncosh, nouncounterfeit, adjectivecounterfeit, verbcover, nouncrack, verbcriminal, adjectivecriminal, nouncriminal law, nouncriminal record, nouncriminology, nouncrook, nounculpable, adjectiveculprit, noundefamation, noundefraud, verbdelinquency, noundelinquent, adjectivedelinquent, noundesperado, noundisorderly, adjectivedrug baron, noundrug runner, nounDUI, nounembezzle, verbexpropriate, verbextort, verbeyewitness, nounfelon, nounfelony, nounfence, nounfiddle, nounfiddle, verbfiddler, nounfilch, verbfinger, verbfire-raising, nounfirst offender, nounflash, verbflasher, nounforge, verbforger, nounforgery, nounfoul play, nounframe, verbframe-up, nounfratricide, nounfraud, nounfreebooter, noungang, noungang-bang, noungang rape, noungangster, nounGBH, noungenocide, noungetaway, noungodfather, noungrand larceny, noungrass, noungrievous bodily harm, nounheist, nounhijack, verbhijack, nounhijacking, nounhit, nounhit-and-run, adjectivehit man, nounincriminate, verbindecent assault, nounindecent exposure, nouninfanticide, nounjob, nounjoyriding, nounjuvenile delinquent, nounkidnap, verblarceny, nounlibel, nounlibel, verblibellous, adjectivelow life, nounmafioso, nounmalpractice, nounmanslaughter, nounmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatricide, nounmisappropriate, verbmisconduct, nounmisdeed, nounmisdemeanour, nounmobster, nounmoll, nounmug, verbmugshot, nounmurder, nounmurder, verbmurderer, nounmurderess, nounmuscleman, nounnark, nounnefarious, adjectiveneighbourhood watch, nounnick, verbno-go area, nounoffence, nounoffend, verboffender, nounold lag, nounorganized crime, nounoutlaw, nounparricide, nounpatricide, nounpetty larceny, nounPhotofit, nounpiracy, nounplant, verbpoach, verbpoacher, nounpossession, nounprivateer, nounprotection, nounprowl, verbprowler, nounpublic nuisance, nounpull, verbpunk, nounpurloin, verbraid, nounram-raiding, nounrape, verbrape, nounrapist, nounravish, verbreceiver, nounreceiving, nounrecidivist, nounregicide, nounring, nounringleader, nounriotous, adjectiverob, verbrobber, nounrobbery, nounroll, verbrustler, nounscheme, nounscheme, verbshady, adjectiveshoplift, verbshoplifting, nounslander, nounsmuggle, verbsnout, nounspeeding, nounstabbing, nounstalking, nounstatutory offence, nounstatutory rape, nounsteal, verbstoolpigeon, nounsupergrass, nounsuspect, nounswag, nountheft, nounthief, nounthievish, adjectivetorch, verbtraffic, nountrafficker, nountriad, noununder-the-counter, adjectiveunderworld, nounundesirable, nounvagrancy, nounvandal, nounvandalism, nounvandalize, verbvice, nounvigilante, nounvillainy, nounviolate, verbviolation, nounwanted, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1phrases his most cherished possession The spiritual life is more important than material possessions. a society that places high importance on material rewards The child held the bag as tightly as if it were her most prized possession. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· The painting has been in the family's possession since then.
· You have a duty not to disclose confidential information that comes into your possession.
(=have it)· Before applying for a job, make sure you are in possession of the required qualifications.
(=have it)· My father had in his possession a letter written by Winston Churchill.
(=start having it)· How did you come into possession of this document?
(=start having or using it)· At 21, he was entitled to take possession of the property.
Meaning 2adjectives· We were told that we could take only a few personal possessions with us.
literary (=everything they own)· Over his shoulder hung a bag which contained all his worldly possessions.
(=things you own, rather than personal qualities, relationships etc)· Many of them have lost all their material possessions as a result of the civil war.
(=one that is valuable or important to you)· A man was salvaging a few precious possessions from the rubble of a bombed house.
(=one that is very important to you)· One of my most treasured possessions is a small book of prayers.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES his most cherished possession (=able to see, hear, think etc in the normal way)
The spiritual life is more important than material possessions. a society that places high importance on material rewards· All personal belongings should be clearly marked with the owner’s name.
The child held the bag as tightly as if it were her most prized possession. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession.· This then is the context within which statutory rules and cases on adverse possession must be seen.· But Leonard Koerner, counsel for the city, said adverse possession does not apply in this case.
· A Zoological Society was founded in London in 1826 to act as a showcase for Britain's colonial possessions.
· In some cases it was not clear at first sight whether exclusive possession was in fact granted.· This includes a person who is entitled to immediate and exclusive possession.· In the present case it is conceded that Mrs Mountford is entitled to exclusive possession and is not a lodger.· A demise for years is a contract for the exclusive possession and profit of land for some determinate period.
· The tenant in tail has full rights of possession and enjoyment without regard to waste.· But: in full possession of his faculties.· He was a grown man, in full possession of his civil rights.· Miraculously healed, she is in full possession of her powers.· I don't think anyone in full possession of their five senses would find it so.· Thomas's stand had saved the Union army, but the Confederates were left in full possession of the field.· They also point out that the New Testament is full of demon possession and exorcisms.· He wanted to take full possession of her.
· Moses Ali was sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment for illegal possession of weapons on Jan. 7.· Takatlyan was charged with illegal weapons possession, bribery, entering the country illegally and using false documents.· He was accused of illegal possession of firearms and of embezzlement of public funds.· The charges against Abu Bakr and 113 of his followers included murder, kidnapping and the illegal possession of arms and ammunition.· The seige ended peacefully and Yacoub was later charged with taking hostages and with illegal possession of a firearm.· On surrendering, the paramilitaries had admitted only to the illegal possession of arms and to having agreed to commit an offence.
· We think of the desert of modern life with the concentration on material possessions and its resultant poverty.· Society is composed of many different groups, which are unequal in power, status, and material possessions.· We realize that the spiritual life matters infinitely more than all the material possessions or human status we once may have enjoyed.· Individual achievement is often symbolized and measured by the quality and quantity of material possessions that a person can accumulate.· Unencumbered with material possessions or human relationships.· In the West, the value of materialism motivates individuals to invest time and energy producing and acquiring material possessions.· So great is the lure of material possessions!· If the Monster's lust for what is mine ended there, with my material possessions, I could stand it.
· Also there is the insurance to consider of your personal possessions and the contents of your home.· Water penetrated the two cabins, ran down the sides, gathered in pools, speckled droplets on clothing and personal possessions.· He is one of the few people I have ever met who has never been either inflated or deflated by personal possessions.· Losses of personal possessions, money and items of kit inevitably took place at these spots.· You can not place a price on such a personal possession, however simple it may seem.· Other personal possessions include a £2,500 horse and a £25,000 Morgan car.· She used the weekend of the Windsor Castle blaze to remove what little personal possessions she had left.· The cube was Cley's only personal possession.
· As I constantly urge members - your signature is your most precious possession.· Our people are our most precious possession...· That was the last photograph ever taken of Simon and it was Bert's most precious possession.
· The warranty as to quiet possession, however, relates to the future.· One must be in quiet and secure possession of some sort of a homestead in order to be worthwhile in literature.· There are, however, implied warranties of quiet possession, etc.
· Virtually all empty dwellings were now sold with vacant possession, at extremely high prices.· Where properties are untenanted, Retirement Assured has valued them at open market value with vacant possession.· And of course for that, you do get vacant possession.· People who sell will want to sell with vacant possession, and that means asking people to leave.· Would you have to pay income tax on it, and could you get vacant possession when you needed it?· They think it unlikely that the company would sell the properties without vacant possession.· Tenure: Leasehold with c. 80 years to run. Vacant possession upon completion of purchase.
· They tear our houses down, burn up our worldly possessions, and sometimes even kill us.· A great number of emigres arrived daily from the mainland, left homeless and often destitute of all worldly possessions.· Returned that same evening to Brigade Headquarters to collect my rucksack containing all my worldly possessions and, of course, the bagpipes.
NOUN· The possession charge had been dropped because her daughter had only had a small amount on her.· A certificate would be defense against marijuana possession charges.· Broadus also faces another court hearing involving a felony gun possession charge not related to the Woldemariam incident.
· In May 1994 she was charged with drugs possession after being arrested in a Miami motel.· Court watchers here all have their own opinions about the drug possession trial of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.· Last year Minin was handed down a two-year sentence for drugs possession.· McHugh said the boy, who was arrested Saturday, would face drug possession and distribution charges.· But this wasn't the first time Perkins had been charged with drug possession in Britain.· The bizarre development came as the Irvin drug possession trial dragged through its third day of jury selection.· They made 11 arrests for drug possession, in an operation which the travellers described as heavy-handed and unreasonable.· But Alavarez said he saw no reason why the development would produce a mistrial in the drug possession case.
· Once they're approved landlords or homeowners will be able to go straight to a county court for a possession order.· In her absence a possession order was made on 31 October 1989 to take effect on 28 November 1989.· The defendant applied to be joined as a party to those proceedings and sought a stay of the possession order.· On 22 January 1990 the possession order which had been made was set aside.· The judge confirmed the possession order.· The Hammonds, of course, had no defence and the building society obtained a possession order against them.· He applied to be joined in the proceedings as a defendant and for a stay of the possession order.· Peter Harris is fighting a possession order by a finance company which charges interest at thirty-nine percent.
VERB· Rumour had it that Gaunt had poisoned his sister-in-law in order to gain possession of the whole of the inheritance.· They will try to gain possession of the last piece of ground we possess.· After the restart North started to play better rugby gaining more possession and putting Malone under pressure for the first fifteen minutes.· The landlord must obtain an Order from your local county court if he or she wishes to gain possession of your accommodation.· The difficulty for the thieves was not to gain possession of the animal, but to arrange for its profitable disposal.
· In consequence of the agreement, Mr. Mahmoud gave up possession to the landlord.· Two series later, Frazier threw an interception that gave Florida possession at its 46.· And he answered: You give but little when you give of your possessions.· Two penalties gave Florida possession at its 3.· After death, follow the agreed procedures about giving personal possessions to relatives.· The courts issued an injunction giving temporary control and possession of the structure to the companies.· This gave the backs quality possession and the defence eventually cracked.
· If you don't score you lose possession.· At least 300 lost their household possessions to the rising waters.· Now after the changes if you do that and don't produce the ball then you lose possession.· The company also helps clients estimate, from memory, the value of lost possessions.· Liens of this kind, being mere rights of retention, are lost as soon as possession is given up.· So the winger has a go, gets tackled, the ball is trapped and the attacking side loses possession.· If you get stopped you lose possession and one big kick from the opposition and you've lost position.
· The next step is for the lessor to make a court application to obtain an order for possession.· A person is therefore guilty if he obtains ownership alone without possession or control.· Similarly, if the accused obtains possession or control without ownership, he is guilty.· An example is where a transaction is void for fraud but the accused obtains possession or control by deception.· Section 15 extended the law to include situations where he obtained possession or control as well as ownership.· Consequently, the air waybill did not require presentation to obtain possession of the goods.· On 4 December the plaintiff obtained a warrant of possession which was not executed.· The exceptions may, however, be relevant where the buyer has unlawfully obtained possession.
· His second most prized possession was a magic cauldron that could never be emptied.· My time is my most valuable and prized possession.· Specifically they are looking for the Combat Infantryman Badge, one of the most prized possessions of a foot soldier.
· Like looters after a big raid who tried to steal the mangled possessions of shattered houses.· From there the Springboks swept upfield, stole back possession and sent Werner Swanepoel crashing over.
· Coetzee took possession of a considerable arsenal at Vlakplaas.· They added up to the idea that he resented anyone placing a cross and trying to take possession of his territory.· I was just glad he took money and not possessions, because possessions can't be replaced.· The law provides the board can take possession of any assassination document.· Deskilling is symptomatic of the way in which a worker's labour is taken possession of by the capitalist.· He had taken possession of the castle by force.· The sparrows once more take possession of the street.· It is said that other Presidents without congressional authority have taken possession of private business enterprises in order to settle labor disputes.
· The match was finally settled two minutes into extra time when St Albans won possession in defence and broke quickly.· Mason had blocked a layup attempt by Andre Miller with 16 seconds to play, setting up Seattle's winning possession.· This domination eventually came more because of what the forwards were doing when they had not won possession as when they had.· It was revealing that late in the game Jack Sheedy came from five yards behind Anthony Molloy to win possession.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► possession is nine-tenths of the lawPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► house/flat with vacant possession
1having something [uncountable] formal if something is in your possession, you own it, or you have obtained it from somewherein somebody’s possession- He's difficult to get along with but still in full possession of his faculties.
- I know that her proudest moment was when she won a prize in high school in 1929, for writing.
- It's the proudest possession in my house.
- To me, it was the funniest, proudest moment I had ever had in baseball.
- To this day, this remains Morrissey's proudest moment.
- A great number of emigres arrived daily from the mainland, left homeless and often destitute of all worldly possessions.
- But he bought no worldly goods.
- He loses all his worldly goods because a law suit is not decided in his favor.
- My worldly goods, my total possessions.
- Returned that same evening to Brigade Headquarters to collect my rucksack containing all my worldly possessions and, of course, the bagpipes.
- They tear our houses down, burn up our worldly possessions, and sometimes even kill us.
- We generally promise each other all our worldly goods.
- Why, of course you must leave all your worldly goods to him.
The house has been in the family’s possession since the 1500s. That information is not in our possession.in possession of something She was found in possession of stolen goods. How did the painting come into your possession (=how did you get it)? The finance company now has possession of the house. We didn’t take possession of (=get and start using) the car until a few days after the auction.2something you own [countable usually plural] something that you own or have with you at a particular time SYN belongings: He had sold all his possessions and left the country. I packed my remaining possessions into the trunk.treasured/prized/precious possession (=one that is very important to you) This old violin had been her father’s most treasured possession. Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions.3crime [uncountable] law the crime of having illegal drugs or weapons with you or in your homepossession of He was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine.4sport [uncountable] when a person or team has control of the ball in some sportswin/lose/gain etc possession Pittsburgh got possession and scored.5country [countable usually plural] a country controlled or governed by another country: France’s former colonial possessions6evil spirits [uncountable] a situation in which someone’s mind is being controlled by something evil: Was it a case of demonic possession?7in (full) possession of your faculties/senses able to think in a clear and intelligent way, and not crazy or affected by old age8possession is nine-tenths of the law used to say that if you have something, you are likely to be able to keep it, even if it is not yoursCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1phrasesbe in somebody's possession· The painting has been in the family's possession since then.come into somebody's possession· You have a duty not to disclose confidential information that comes into your possession.be in possession of something (=have it)· Before applying for a job, make sure you are in possession of the required qualifications.have something in your possession (=have it)· My father had in his possession a letter written by Winston Churchill.come into possession of something (=start having it)· How did you come into possession of this document?take possession of something (=start having or using it)· At 21, he was entitled to take possession of the property.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivessomebody's personal possessions· We were told that we could take only a few personal possessions with us.somebody's worldly possessions literary (=everything they own)· Over his shoulder hung a bag which contained all his worldly possessions.material possessions (=things you own, rather than personal qualities, relationships etc)· Many of them have lost all their material possessions as a result of the civil war.a precious possession (=one that is valuable or important to you)· A man was salvaging a few precious possessions from the rubble of a bombed house.a prized/treasured possession (=one that is very important to you)· One of my most treasured possessions is a small book of prayers.