First Known Use: 1645
Dictionary
posse
noun pos·se \ˈpä-sē\
: a group of people who were gathered together by a sheriff in the past to help search for a criminal
: a group of people who are together for a particular purpose
: a group of friends
Full Definition of POSSE
1
: a large group often with a common interest
2
: a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency
3
: a group of people temporarily organized to make a search (as for a lost child)
4
: entourage 1
See posse defined for English-language learners
See posse defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of POSSE
Medieval Latin posse comitatus, literally, power or authority of the county
POSSE Defined for Kids
posse
noun pos·se \ˈpä-sē\
Definition of POSSE for Kids
: a group of people gathered together to make a search and especially in the past to search for a criminal
Learn More About POSSE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: posse comitatusPrevious Word in the Dictionary: possAll Words Near: posse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up posse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).