(transitive) To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
Used in a Sentence
possesses
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for possesses.
Editorial note
For example, Norway has the highest rate of gun ownership in Western Europe, yet possesses the lowest murder rate.
Examples15
Definitions4
Parts of speech1
Quick take
(transitive) To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of possesses gathered in one view.
(transitive) Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.
(transitive) Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for possesses.
verb
(transitive) To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
verb
(transitive) Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.
verb
(transitive) Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).
verb
(transitive) To dominate (a person) sexually; to have sexual intercourse with (a person).
Example sentences
For example, Norway has the highest rate of gun ownership in Western Europe, yet possesses the lowest murder rate.
Each thread possesses input streams to receive data from other threads and output streams to talk to other threads.
Statistically this is highly unlikely, even considering the advantage of coercive power the government-provided solution possesses.
Not to mention, the ATF could go after anyone that uses marijuana and possesses a firearm.
Even fiction authors have found it fit to point out the control one possesses over another when they know things about someone.
It may be artificial but it possesses the ability to get an idea that's in your head into the head of another person.
Just look how poorly Amazon's work, despite its central role in corralling gigantic amounts of cash, the manpower and the raw talent that Amazon possesses.
This process also possesses the necessary properties[1] of a Poisson process.
Certainly, but you don't know whether someone without a degree possesses that quality or not (and yes, false positives are a thing, there's always a risk).
Just the broader requirements alone would be enough to instantly flunk most people out of the running (the other skills required that Simons possesses beyond his intellect).
I think we've seen that what matters more is who possesses your data.
Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the intellectual clarity and the composure necessary for difficult decisions.
Quote examples
There is no "dictator": no single voter possesses the power to always determine the group's preference.
The history of Western art, literature, and science in the post-ancient world possesses more than enough justification for anyone to call it "high" culture.
And if the pilot is simulating instrument conditions, there is a rule: FAR 91.109 "No person may operate a civil aircraft in simulated instrument flight unless - The other control seat is occupied by a safety pilot who possesses at least a private pilot certificate with category and class ratings appropriate to the aircraft being flown".
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use possesses in a sentence?
For example, Norway has the highest rate of gun ownership in Western Europe, yet possesses the lowest murder rate.
What does possesses mean?
(transitive) To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
What part of speech is possesses?
possesses is commonly used as verb.