How is "possession" defined in legal terms?

In legal terms, "possession" refers to the actual care, custody, control, or management of an item. This definition captures the active relationship that an individual has with a physical object—more than merely owning it or having legal title. Possession involves the ability to exercise control over the item and implies a certain level of responsibility or authority concerning that item.

For example, a person who physically holds and uses an object has possession of it, even if they do not own it outright. This can apply in various legal contexts, such as in cases related to criminal law, where the possession of certain items (like illegal substances or stolen property) is relevant to establishing guilt or responsibility.

The other options focus on aspects that are not wholly representative of the legal meaning of possession. Ownership of property may involve possession, but one can possess an item without owning it. Having legal title pertains more to the formal ownership rights rather than the physical or actual control over an item. Temporary use indicates a fleeting relationship with the item, which does not encapsulate the broader, more enduring aspects of possession as defined in the law.