Updated: October 16, 2026
Are you unsure whether to write possession or posession? These words look almost identical, but only one is correct in standard American English. Knowing the right spelling helps you write more clearly and avoid common spelling mistakes in school assignments, professional emails, and everyday communication.
The correct spelling is possession, with a double s after the prefix-like beginning po and another double s in the middle: p-o-s-s-e-s-s-i-o-n. Posession is a misspelling because it leaves out one of the required letters.
In this guide, you will learn the difference between possession and posession, discover easy spelling tricks, and explore seven practical examples to help you remember the correct form.
Quick Answer: Possession vs. Posession
Possession is the correct spelling. Posession is incorrect in standard English.
- Correct: The athlete took possession of the ball.
- Incorrect: The athlete took posession of the ball.
Easy rule: Remember that possession contains two pairs of consecutive s letters: po-ss-e-ss-ion.
What Does Possession Mean?
Possession is a noun that generally means owning, holding, or having something. It can refer to physical property, personal belongings, control over an object, or something someone has in their custody.
The word also has specialized meanings in law, sports, and other contexts.
Common meanings of possession
- Ownership: Having something that belongs to you.
- Control: Having physical control over an object or property.
- Personal belongings: Items owned or carried by someone.
- Sports: Control of a ball or other object during a game.
- Legal context: Having custody or control of something, depending on the applicable law.
Examples of possession in sentences
- She took possession of her new house last week.
- Please keep your personal possessions in a safe place.
- The basketball team maintained possession for most of the final minute.
- The police found the missing documents in his possession.
- The buyer received possession of the property after closing.
In each example, possession refers to ownership, control, custody, or having something.
What Does Posession Mean?
Posession is a misspelling of possession. It is not the accepted spelling in standard American English.
People often omit one of the double s letters because they are unsure how to spell the word or type it quickly. However, the correct form always includes both pairs of consecutive s letters.
Incorrect examples
- She took posession of the apartment.
- He lost posession of the ball.
- Keep your personal posessions together.
Correct examples
- She took possession of the apartment.
- He lost possession of the ball.
- Keep your personal possessions together.
Notice that the plural form is possessions, which also retains the correct spelling.
Possession vs. Posession: Key Differences
| Feature | Possession | Posession |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling status | Correct | Incorrect |
| Part of speech | Noun | Misspelling of a noun |
| Meaning | Ownership, control, or custody | Intended to mean possession |
| Standard American English | Accepted | Not accepted |
| Formal writing | Appropriate | Avoid |
| Example | The keys are in my possession. | Incorrect spelling |
The difference is spelling rather than meaning. If you want to describe owning something, holding an object, or controlling a ball in a game, use possession.
Why Is Possession Spelled With Double S?
The word possession comes through French from Latin possessio, related to possidere, meaning to possess or occupy. Its established English spelling includes the double s sequences.
The spelling is not posession because omitting one s changes the accepted written form.
A useful way to remember the word is to divide it into smaller parts:
PO + SS + E + SS + ION = POSSESSION
When spelling the word, pay attention to both pairs of consecutive s letters.
Related words also contain double s:
- Possess
- Possessive
- Possessor
- Possessions
Learning these related words can reinforce the correct spelling.
7 Examples of Possession in Everyday English
Here are seven examples showing how possession is used in different situations.
- Property: The family took possession of their new home in June.
- Personal belongings: Please check your possessions before leaving the hotel.
- Sports: The soccer team regained possession after a successful tackle.
- Legal context: The law may restrict possession of certain prohibited items.
- Workplace: The confidential file remained in the manager’s possession.
- Travel: Keep your valuable possessions in a secure bag.
- Everyday conversation: The old photograph was her most treasured possession.
These sentences demonstrate that possession is useful in everyday conversation, professional writing, sports commentary, and legal discussions.
Common Spelling Mistakes to Avoid
The spelling of possession can be tricky because several letters appear more than once. Use these tips to avoid errors.
- Do not remove an s: Write possession, not posession.
- Remember both double-s pairs: The correct sequence is ss twice.
- Check the plural form: Write possessions, not posessions.
- Learn related words: Possess and possessive can help you remember the spelling.
- Proofread important writing: Review spelling carefully in essays, reports, emails, and published articles.
Memory Trick: How to Remember Possession
Try this simple spelling trick:
Possess + ion = possession
Start with the correctly spelled word possess, then remember that possession keeps its double s and includes another double s in its standard spelling.
You can also memorize this sentence:
I possess my possessions, so I keep them in my possession.
Repeating this sentence helps you recognize the correct spelling of possess, possessions, and possession.
Possession vs. Possessions: What Is the Difference?
Although the words are related, their grammatical forms differ.
- Possession: Singular noun referring to ownership or something owned.
- Possessions: Plural noun referring to multiple belongings or items owned.
Examples:
- Her bicycle is her most valuable possession.
- Her books, clothes, and photographs are her personal possessions.
Both forms are spelled with double s letters in the same key positions.
Possession vs. Posession: Which One Should You Use?
The final decision is simple: always use possession in standard American English.
Use possession in academic writing, business documents, legal discussions, personal messages, and everyday communication. Avoid posession because it is a spelling error.
When referring to ownership, control, custody, or personal belongings, the correct spelling remains possession. If you mean more than one item, use possessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is possession or posession correct?
Possession is correct. Posession is a misspelling because it omits one of the required s letters.
2. Why is possession spelled with two s letters twice?
The established spelling of possession contains two pairs of consecutive s letters. Remembering both pairs helps prevent the common error posession.
3. What does possession mean?
Possession means ownership, control, custody, or having something. Its precise meaning depends on the context.
4. Is possession a noun?
Yes. Possession is a noun. For example, “The house is now in her possession.”
5. What is the plural of possession?
The plural is possessions. For example, “He packed his possessions before moving.”
6. Is possession spelled the same way in American and British English?
Yes. Possession is the standard spelling in both American and British English.
7. How can I remember the correct spelling of possession?
Remember the two double-s pairs in po-ss-e-ss-ion. You can also connect it with the related word possess to reinforce the spelling.
Conclusion
When comparing possession vs. posession, only possession is correct in standard English. The spelling posession is a common mistake caused by leaving out one of the required s letters.
Remember this spelling pattern: po-ss-e-ss-ion.
Whether you are writing about property ownership, personal belongings, sports, or legal custody, use possession for correct, professional writing. With these spelling rules and examples, you can avoid this mistake with confidence.
