1 accession | Definition of accession

accession

noun
ac·​ces·​sion | \ ik-ˈse-shən How to pronounce accession (audio) , ak-\

Definition of accession

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the act or process by which someone rises to a position of honor or power the accession of a new queen a politician's accession to power Queen Victoria's accession to the throne/crown occurred in 1837.
b : an act of coming near or to something : approach, admittance
2 : something added : acquisition the museum's latest accessions
3a : increase by something added
b : acquisition of additional property (as by growth or increase of existing property)
4 : the act of assenting or agreeing
5a : the act of becoming joined : adherence
b : the act by which one nation becomes party to an agreement already in force between other powers
6 : a sudden fit or outburst : access

accession

verb
accessioned; accessioning; accessions

Definition of accession (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to record in order of acquisition Each book in the library had been carefully accessioned.

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Other Words from accession

Noun

accessional \ -​ˈsesh-​nəl How to pronounce accessional (audio) , -​ˈse-​shə-​nᔊl \ adjective

Synonyms for accession

Synonyms: Noun

acquisition, obtainment

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Examples of accession in a Sentence

Noun

the accession of Queen Elizabeth II an exhibit of the museum's latest accessions

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Another part of the Indian Constitution that stems from [Article] 370 is [Presidential Order] 35A, and is part of the condition of accession [and part of 370]. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "A Kashmiri Novelist on a State Under Siege," 16 Aug. 2019 Since her accession to the throne, Catherine had exerted increasing pressure on Poland, practically turning it into a Russian protectorate. National Geographic, "This 'pretender princess' tried to steal Catherine the Great's throne," 6 Aug. 2019 But their nearly simultaneous accession to power has broader historical significance, as well. David Kaiser, Time, "Donald Trump and Boris Johnson Rode the Same Wave Into Power. History Suggests the Parallels Won’t Stop There," 26 July 2019 No time frame for their accession has been set, even though individual applications were filed 10 years ago and more. Washington Post, "Merkel seeks to reassure Western Balkan nations of EU future," 5 July 2019 Two decades after its accession to the World Trade Organization, China still uses its intertwined public and private sectors to serve the Communist Party’s mercantilist goals. Marco Rubio, WSJ, "You Can’t Trust a Chinese Audit," 4 June 2019 Like his predecessor, Kamose would die on the battlefield just three short years after his accession. National Geographic, "How three rebel queens of Egypt overthrew an empire and gave birth to a new kingdom," 7 Mar. 2019 But Mr Rama says that if such accusations were true the European Commission would not have recommended the opening of EU accession talks, albeit that EU leaders decided to postpone them. The Economist, "Albania is a mess," 28 June 2019 Jimmu’s accession day, February 11, is celebrated as a holiday called National Foundation Day. Erin Blakemore, National Geographic, "Learn about the history—and future—of the Japanese monarchy," 29 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The artworks that brought in the huge sums at Christie’s were being de-accessioned by the Fujita Museum in Osaka, Japan. Graham Bowley, New York Times, "Surprising Sale at Christie’s Lifts Asia Week New York," 21 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accession.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of accession

Noun

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

1887, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for accession

Noun

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French accession "acquisition, increase" (Old French also "attack of an illness"), borrowed from Latin accessiƍn-, accessiƍ "approach, onset, paroxysm, addition, accessory," from accēdere "to approach" + -tiƍn-, -tiƍ, suffix of action nouns — more at accede

Verb

derivative of accession entry 1

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More Definitions for accession

accession

noun
ac·​ces·​sion | \ ak-ˈse-shən How to pronounce accession (audio) \

Kids Definition of accession

: the rise to a position of power accession to the throne

accession

noun
ac·​ces·​sion | \ ik-ˈse-shən, ak- How to pronounce accession (audio) \

Legal Definition of accession

1 : increase by something added specifically : the mode of acquiring property by which the owner of property (as a building, land, or cattle) becomes the owner of an addition by growth, improvement, increase, or labor
2 : the act of assenting or agreeing

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