Examples of possess in a Sentence
Alice Park, Time, 16 Apr. 2007
People who experience specific colors when looking at particular letters, such as seeing sky blue when shown an R, possess an unusual abundance of connections in brain areas involved in word and color perception, a new brain-imaging investigation finds.
—Bruce Bower, Science News, 26 May 2007
What does matter is that we come to recognize that playfulness, as a philosophical stance, can be very serious, indeed; and, moreover, that it possesses an unfailing capacity to arouse ridicule and hostility in those among us who crave certainty, reverence, and restraint.
—Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004
nations that possess nuclear weapons
The defendant was charged with possessing cocaine.
The ruby was once possessed by an ancient queen.
He dreams of someday possessing great wealth.
He possesses a keen wit.
The drug possesses the potential to suppress tumors.
Do dolphins possess the ability to use language?
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2024
The Wa possess high-tech weaponry: artillery, drones, and missiles that can knock jets out of the sky.
—Patrick Winn, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
Ramon also ordered that the student stay at least 300 yards away from university property — including facilities in and around Spartan Stadium — and barred him from possessing any materials that could be used to make a fire.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Prepared Food Photos portfolio, through a marketing partnership with Food Media Pro, boasts over 400 recipe videos in addition to the expansive photography library both companies now possess.
—Jon Stojan, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
Suggs was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim and not to possess guns.
—Erick Mendoza, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Taylor was punished as a result of his actions, but her crimes were child neglect, possessing a firearm while being a drug user and lying on a background check.
—Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
On March 26, Wesley was ordered by the Los Angeles Superior Court to not own or possess any animals.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Check these metro Phoenix stores and libraries Adults of age can possess up to an ounce of flower and five grams of concentrate, which includes forms like the hash oil inside a marijuana vape pen.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'possess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English, from Middle French possesser to have possession of, take possession of, from Latin possessus, past participle of possidēre, from potis able, having the power + sedēre to sit — more at potent, sit
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near possess
Cite this Entry
“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possess. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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possess
transitive verb
More from Merriam-Webster on possess
Nglish: Translation of possess for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of possess for Arabic Speakers
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