Its/ɪts/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Possessive Context Use 'its' to show something owns or possesses something else. The tree lost its leaves. Pro Tip 2/3Non-Living Things 'Its' is commonly used with non-living things, animals, or ideas. The computer updated its software. Pro Tip 3/3Inanimate Subjects Use 'its' when the subject of the sentence is a thing, not a person. The museum opened its doors at nine.