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

Central Florida Stamp Club: Meetings include auctions and informative lectures. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024

Be sure to watch the tuna episode at the least—the beautifully loud and chaotic tuna auction in Tokyo’s Toyosu Market is one of the best scenes in the series, tying all these themes together. —Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 18 Dec. 2024

Verb

The Wicked Witch’s Hat, part of Shaw’s collection, was also auctioned and sold for $2.93 million in a lengthy bidding war. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2024

Most of these special sculptures will be auctioned online for charity and the proceeds will be donated to Ocean Park to support giant panda conversation efforts. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Asia, 3 Dec. 2024

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

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