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 jersey will headline a landmark auction titled Driven to Greatness. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026

At the most recent auction, held in June, that price had risen to $35. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

On Wednesday, the Treasury Department auctioned 20-year debt at the second-highest yield since the bond was introduced in 2020. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026

Gooding Christie's is also auctioning a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione with an estimate of $8 million. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

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