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

Graff, a donor to the live auction, also contributed a dazzling pair of diamond earrings, which were swiftly auctioned off for the cause. —Erin Michelle Newberg, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025

The competitive auction adds to signs the housing market in the city state is rebounding, with British consultancy Knight Frank noting that this is the first time in recent years that a plot of land had drawn this much interest. —Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Verb

The first of the three coins will be auctioned online from Sunday, March 30 to Thursday, April 3 through Alba Mineral Resources' website. —Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Graff, a donor to the live auction, also contributed a dazzling pair of diamond earrings, which were swiftly auctioned off for the cause. —Erin Michelle Newberg, Vogue, 19 Mar. 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