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Meaning & use

immediate possession

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ɪˌmiːdiət pəˈzeʃən/
US/ɪˌmiːdiət pəˈzeʃən/

Meanings

  1. noununcountableformal

    the state of having or controlling something at once, without waiting or delay.

    Grammar: Used without 'a' or 'the' in most cases: The buyer wanted immediate possession.

    Patterns

    • immediate possession of something
    • take immediate possession
    • give someone immediate possession

    The lease gives the tenant immediate possession of the apartment.

    After signing the contract, she took immediate possession of the car.

    The court ordered immediate possession of the disputed land.

  2. noununcountablelegal

    in law, the right to use or occupy property as soon as a legal agreement is made.

    Grammar: Often appears in phrases like 'right to immediate possession' or 'claim for immediate possession'.

    Patterns

    • right to immediate possession
    • claim immediate possession
    • seek immediate possession

    The landlord filed a claim for immediate possession of the premises.

    Under the will, the heir has a right to immediate possession of the estate.

    The bank sought immediate possession of the collateral after the default.

Common combinations

immediate possession of
The buyer demanded immediate possession of the goods.
take immediate possession
They took immediate possession of the house after the sale.
right to immediate possession
The tenant has a right to immediate possession under the lease.
give immediate possession
The seller agreed to give immediate possession to the buyer.

Synonyms and how they differ

instant possession
Very close in meaning, but 'instant' often suggests something happening in a single moment, while 'immediate' stresses no delay at all.
prompt possession
Suggests quick action but allows a short delay; 'immediate' means without any waiting.

Opposites

delayed possessionfuture possession

Word family

immediately adverb
In a way that happens at once, without delay.
possess verb
To have or own something.
possessive adjective
Wanting to keep something or someone for yourself.

Commonly confused: immediate possession or immediate family?

immediate possession vs immediate family

This means your closest relatives (parents, children, spouse), not property or ownership. Don't confuse the two phrases.

Practice

The buyer paid in full and was given _____ of the property the same day.

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