How to pronounce possession
Say it like puh-ZESH-un. Possession has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce possession. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- ZESH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Possession pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of possession
American and British speakers say possession in essentially the same way: /pəˈzɛʃən/ in the US and /pəˈzɛʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-ZESH-un.
What does possession mean?
- the act of having and controlling property
- anything owned or possessed
- being controlled by passion or the supernatural
Where does possession come from?
From Latin possessiō, possessiōnis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with possession
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of possession.
- depression
- expression
- impression
- profession
- succession
- aggression
- discretion
- obsession
- progression
- confession
Questions about saying possession
How do you pronounce possession?
Say puh-ZESH-un. The American pronunciation is /pəˈzɛʃən/. In British English it is /pəˈzɛʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in possession?
Possession has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZESH). Broken into parts: puh · ZESH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say possession the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈzɛʃən/ and the British form is /pəˈzɛʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.