# obsession

> English word · Noun · IPA /əbˈsɛʃən/ · frequency rank #8,324

## Definitions
1. The quality of being obsessed.
2. An idea that engenders a compulsive or irrational preoccupation, or the preoccupation thereby engendered.
3. An activity or entity that inspires a compulsive and potentially unhealthy fixation, or the fixation thereby inspired.
4. Influence or control by evil spirits without possession.

## Etymology
From Latin obsessio (“a besieging”), from obsidere (“to besiege”); see obsess. Equivalent to obsess + -ion.

## Easily confused with
- **obsessive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/obsession-vs-obsessive)

## Common misspellings (12)
`bosession`, `obbsession`, `obesssion`, `obsesion`, `obsesison`, `obsessino`, `obsessionn`, `obsessoin`, `obsestion`, `obssesion`, `obssession`, `osbession`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/obsession