Possessions
pəˈzɛʃənz
Definitions
2 meaningsThings that someone owns; belongings.
pəˈzɛʃənz
Things owned by someone
The house was filled with the family's possessions.
💡 Simply: Your possessions are all the stuff you have, like your toys, clothes, or even your pet! These are things that belong to you.
👶 For kids: Things that you own, like your toys or your books.
More Examples
He lost all his possessions in the fire.
She carefully inventoried her valuable possessions before moving.
The police seized the suspect's illegal possessions.
How It's Used
"The transfer of possessions after a will is executed."
"She packed her essential possessions for the trip."
The state of having, owning, or controlling something.
pəˈzɛʃənz
The state of having something
The company’s possession of the patent granted them a competitive edge.
💡 Simply: Imagine you 'possess' a secret or a special skill. It means you have it or know how to do it.
👶 For kids: When you have something, like a secret or a superpower.
More Examples
The athlete's possession of the ball led to a winning score.
The feeling of possession of a new home was exciting.
How It's Used
"She felt the possession of a great secret."
"Colonial powers sought to extend their possessions across the globe."
Synonyms
Assets
Belongings
Effects
Goods
Holdings
Command
Control
Dominion
Grasp
Ownership
Idioms & expressions
in one's possession
Owned or held by someone.
"The police found the stolen jewels in his possession."
personal possessions
The things that someone owns that are of a personal nature (e.g. clothing, jewelry)
"She left all her personal possessions behind when she moved overseas."
From Middle English possessioun, from Old French possession, from Latin possessio (“a holding, a possession”), from possideo (“I possess”), from *sedeo (“to sit, to be settled”).
Historically, 'possessions' was heavily used in contexts of land ownership and colonial expansion, signifying dominion and control.
Memory tip
Think of your favorite *possessions* – they are things you own!
Practice
Word Origin
Root: sedere