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material possession

material possession

7 3.0
A thing you can touch that belongs to someone
  • noun
  • /məˈtɪriəl pəˈzɛʃən/
translation icon : posesión material
  • Many people find it hard to let go of their material possessions during the move.
  • money and material possessions
  • acquiring material possessions

All of these things that we own, these material possessions, they're replaceable.

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Examples

  • We have little need for material possessions.

  • Most people think that less emphasis on material possessions would be a good thing and that more time for leisure and family would be beneficial.

    Academic text (2005)
  • What if you removed one material possession from your life each day for a month?

  • People often hang on to things, jobs, relationships, material possessions in an effort to feel secure.

  • We're sort of encouraged to seek those out through material possessions or social status.

  • We are working on getting out of debt, and our spending on material possessions is minimal.

    Blog text (29)
  • Developing countries still emphasize economic growth and increases in material possessions as ways to improve the quality of life.

    Academic text (1998)
  • So happiness is not a function of the material possessions that you lug around with you.

  • Most people spend their lives in pursuit of attaining material possessions, wealth, and valuable properties.

    Blog text (10)
  • All of these things that we own, these material possessions, they're replaceable.

Synonyms

property
vsmaterial possession
1.4

Something that a person or group owns, for example land and buildings

refers specifically to physical objects owned rather than broad legal ownership
possession
vsmaterial possession
240 1.7

A thing that belongs to someone

focuses on physical objects rather than general ownership
personal property
vsmaterial possession
  • Specialized
16 3.1

Things a person owns that can be moved, like furniture or jewelry

includes physical assets generally, not limited to movable items
worldly possession
vsmaterial possession
2 3.2

A physical thing you own like money or a house, not a feeling

is the same idea but without explicitly contrasting spiritual items
belongings
vsmaterial possession
1 1.0

Things a person owns and can carry

covers any tangible asset, not only items that can be carried
tangible possession
vsmaterial possession
3.5

A thing you own that you can touch

is identical in meaning but differs by using a different adjective

Antonyms

intangible asset
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A valuable thing you cannot touch, like a brand name or patent

How Tangible

material possession
7 3.0
possession
240 1.7
intangible asset
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

material + possession

The meaning 'a physical object belonging to someone' is directly derivable from combining 'material' (tangible) with 'possession' (an owned item). This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Material possession joins material (things you can touch) and possession (what you own). Imagine a box of items that 'belong' to you, and you can see and hold them—so the phrase means a physical object or property someone owns.