How to Spell Possession
Is it posession, or possession?
The correct spelling is possession - two double-S pairs (SS-SS), not one. It's commonly misspelled as posession, possesion, or posesion.
Possession means the state of having or owning something - to be in possession of something is to have it in your control or custody.
Common Misspellings:
Why Possession Is Hard to Spell
You're not alone. Two pairs of double S in one word feels excessive - and the brain naturally resists writing four S's total. Most people write the first SS correctly, then unconsciously drop the second pair, producing "possesion." It doesn't help that "posession" looks plausible.
Why this mistake happens: The -SSION ending (obsession, profession, aggression) is well-known, so writers get the second SS right - but forget the first. Or they get the first right and rationalize that one double S is enough for one word. Both halves need their own SS; there are no shortcuts.
Possession Spelling Breakdown
Break it into chunks: po-ss-e-ss-ion
Five parts: PO + SS + E + SS + ION. The two double S's are separated by a single E. Think of it as a symmetrical structure: PO-SS-E-SS-ION. The E in the middle is the divider between the two snake hisses.
Word Origin
"Possession" comes from Latin "possessio" - from "possidere" (to possess, to sit upon), which is a compound of "potis" (able, master of) and "sedere" (to sit). The double S entered the word when pot- + sedere merged in Latin. Old French borrowed it as "possession" keeping both SS clusters, and English adopted it unchanged in the 13th century.
Etymology Path:
Latin possessio → Old French possession → Modern English possession
Memory Trick for Possession
Use this simple phrase to lock in the correct spelling forever:
"PoSSeSSion: the Snake hiSSeS to guard its treasure (SS-SS)"
Why it works: A snake hisses - and a hiss is SS. In "possession" the snake hisses twice: po-SS-e-SS-ion. The treasure-guarding image makes the double hiss memorable and gives you a way to count: two hisses = two double S's.
How to use it: When you write "possession," count your hisses. One SS after PO, one SS before ION. If you've only written one double S, the snake hasn't finished guarding - add the second SS.
What Possession Means
Possession means the state of having or owning something - to be in possession of something is to have it in your control or custody.
Legal: "The property came into her possession after the sale completed."
Figurative: "He spoke with the confidence of someone in full possession of the facts."
Common Misspellings of Possession
✗ posession - Misses the first double S; PO needs SS before the E
✗ possesion - Gets the first SS but drops the second; the E must be followed by SS before -ION
✗ posesion - Drops both double S pairs; the snake needs to hiss twice
Quick tip: Count four S's in total - P-O-S-S-E-S-S-I-O-N. Two before the E, two after. The E sits exactly in the middle of the SS pairs.