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

The February notice of default marked the start of the foreclosure, and the property was originally scheduled to be sold at auction on June 2. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

Her childhood friend is winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars, known for his consistent high scores as well as a record setting sale of one of his bottles for $1M at auction. —Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Verb

The Senate bill directs the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service to auction between 2 million and 3.3 million acres over the next five years, chiefly for housing and related community development infrastructure. —James Broughel, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Furniture was removed and computers were wiped clean so they can be auctioned off. —Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 17 June 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