transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran-ˈzak-shən 

tran(t)-ˈsak-

1

a

: something transacted

especially : an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds

electronic transactions

b

transactions plural : the often published record of the meeting of a society or association

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: a communicative action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other

transactional

tran-ˈzak-sh(ə-)nəl 

tran(t)-ˈsak-

adjective

Synonyms

• sale

Examples of transaction in a Sentence

The entire transaction took place over the phone.

a record of your recent banking transactions

the transaction of business over the phone

Recent Examples on the Web

But Decker left no trace of his existence, such as credit card transactions or cell phone activity, after his daughters were killed. —Holly Yan, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025

For years, Apple required that all in-app purchases be processed through its App Store and skimmed 30 percent off each transaction. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

The company has faced controversy in Europe and, following corporate transactions, was referred to in communications as part of RedLattice after an acquisition by AE Industrial and discussions of a merger. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025

The large-cap index is updated quarterly or more often if corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, require it. —Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for transaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

Kids Definition

transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran(t)s-ˈak-shən 

tranz-

1

a

: something transacted

especially : a business deal

b

plural : the record of the meeting of an organization

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: an act of communication between two people who influence or change each other

Legal Definition

transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran-ˈzak-shən, -ˈsak- 

1

: something transacted

especially : an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: an action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other

3

in the civil law of Louisiana : an onerous contract that is intended by the parties to prevent or end actual or possible litigation and in which they make reciprocal concessions compare accord, satisfaction