The city can take possession of the abandoned buildings.
She came into possession of a rare silver coin.
The family lost all of its possessions in the fire.
This ring was my mother's most precious possession.
The defendant was charged with heroin possession.
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Wennberg won a puck battle deep in the Predators’ zone before William Eklund gained possession.—👁 Image Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026 But Hurley turned to Reed inside and Ball ran out in transition for a one-handed dunk on the next possession.—👁 Image Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026 That marked the only goal for Boise despite controlling 68% of the possession and putting six shots on target to Spokane’s two.—👁 Image Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026 The Galaxy had 57% possession and outshot Minnesota 20-7, 7-3 on target.—👁 Image CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possession
: the act, fact, or condition of having control of something: as
a
: actual possession in this entry
b
: constructive possession in this entry
c
: knowing dominion and control over a controlled substance or other contraband
d
in the civil law of Louisiana: the detention or enjoyment of a corporeal thing
e
: control or occupancy of property
—actual possession
: direct occupancy, use, or control of real propertyhad actual possession of the land despite a lack of legal title
: direct physical custody, care, or control of property or contraband (as illegal drugs)actual possession is not necessary to sustain a conviction—👁 Image State v. Garrison, 896 S.W.2d 689 (1995)
—adverse possession
: actual possession of another's real property that is open, hostile, exclusive, continuous, adverse to the claim of the owner, often under a claim of right or color of title, and that may give rise to title in the possessor if carried out for a specified statutory period (as ten years)
also: the method of acquiring title by such possession see also hostile possession and notorious possession in this entry compare prescription
—civil possession
in the civil law of Louisiana: possession that exists by virtue of an intent to be the owner of a property even though one no longer occupies or has physical control of it
—constructive possession
: possession that exists by virtue of a right (as by title) rather than direct occupancy or control
: the knowing ability and sometimes intent to exercise dominion and control over something (as illegal drugs) either directly or through others
—hostile possession
: possession (as in adverse possession) that is antagonistic to the claims of all others (as a record owner) and that is carried out with the intention to possess the property exclusively
—notorious possession
: possession (as in adverse possession) that is so conspicuous that it is generally known by people in the vicinity of the property and so gives rise to a presumption that the owner has notice of it
—precarious possession
in the civil law of Louisiana: possession of property that is exercised by another (as a lessee) with the permission of or on behalf of the owner see also acquisitive prescription at prescription
