auction

1 of 2

noun

auc·​tion ˈȯk-shən 

1

: a sale of property to the highest bidder

2

: the act or process of bidding in some card games

auction

2 of 2

verb

auctioned; auctioning ˈȯk-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to sell at auction

auctioned off his library

Examples of auction in a Sentence

Noun

She bought the desk at an auction.

He made several bids at the auction.

Verb

They auctioned a similar desk last year.

The house was auctioned last week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This is about these films finding distributors who believe in them, but the heady days of all-night auctions are for now as dead as disco. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025

The federal government's General Services Administration, or GSA, initiated the auction in September 2024, with bidding commencing in November. —Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2025

Verb

In addition to the wining and dining, trips and wines -- a 1984 Far Niente Cabernet at a $750.00 value for example -- will be auctioned off. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025

However, the restaurants' assets, including Blizzard ice cream machines, grills, seating and walk-in freezers, are being auctioned off on LocalAuctions.com. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin auction-, auctio, from augēre to increase — more at eke

First Known Use

Noun

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1723, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing auction

• auction bridge
• auction house
• silent auction
• up for auction

Rhymes for auction

• concoction
• decoction

Kids Definition

auction

1 of 2 noun

auc·​tion ˈȯk-shən 

: a sale at which things are sold to those who offer to pay the most

auction

2 of 2 verb

auctioned; auctioning -sh(ə-)niŋ 

: to sell at auction

Etymology

Noun

from Latin auction-, auctio, from augēre "to increase" — related to augment

Legal Definition

auction

noun

auc·​tion

: a public sale of property to the highest bidder see also reserve