noun
Very common
having
HA-vihng
Having (noun) means the act or state of owning or possessing something. Example: “The having of a garden brings real pleasure to many families.”
noun
1
The act or state of owning or possessing something.
"The having of a garden brings real pleasure to many families."
"His having so many books surprised the visitors."
"Having a car made the commute far easier."
2
A person's manners or behaviour (now a rather old-fashioned usage).
"Her having was always impeccable at the table."
How to use having
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe state of possessing something, or, in older English, a person's manners.
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Word forms
- Plural
- havings
- Comparative
- more having
- Superlative
- most having
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The _____ of a garden brings real pleasure to many families.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for having
See all rhymes for having →Frequently asked questions
What does “having” mean?
The word “having” means the act or state of owning or possessing something. In plain terms, the state of possessing something, or, in older English, a person's manners.
How do you pronounce “having”?
“Having” is pronounced HA-vihng (/ˈhævɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “having” in a sentence?
Here is “having” used in a sentence: “Having a car made the commute far easier.”
What part of speech is “having”?
“Having” is a noun.
Is “having” a common word?
“Having” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “having” have?
“Having” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act or state of owning or possessing something.
What does 'having' mean as a noun?
As a noun, 'having' refers to the fact of owning or holding something — the state of possession itself. It is far less common than the verb 'have,' and often appears in the plural 'havings' to mean a person's possessions or property. In everyday English, words like 'ownership' or 'possession' are used instead.
What is the difference between 'having' and 'possession'?
The two overlap closely. 'Possession' is the standard noun for the act or state of owning something, while 'having' expresses the same idea but sounds more informal and is rarely used alone. You might say 'the having of wealth,' though most writers prefer 'possession of wealth' or simply 'owning wealth.'
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