occupy; possess; hold
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesverb
to occupy; to seize; to possess
Indicates control or ownership of physical space, property, or resources, sometimes with a forceful connotation.
This company occupies sixty percent of the market share.
Illegally possessing other people's property is a criminal act.
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The enemy troops have already seized that high ground.
verb
to hold (a position); to constitute; to make up
Used with abstract concepts such as status, proportion, or advantage, indicating an important or dominant role.
Agriculture holds an important position in the national economy.
Women are making up an increasingly large proportion of the management layer.
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This technology holds an absolute advantage internationally.
verb
to have at one's disposal; to master; to possess (data, materials)
Emphasizes having sufficient information, resources, or evidence at hand, often for research, analysis, or argumentation.
Scientific research must involve possessing large amounts of first-hand materials.
Before making decisions, we must first have sufficient information at our disposal.
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Only by possessing this evidence can we prove his innocence.