1
: a sale of property to the highest bidder
2
: the act or process of bidding in some card games
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
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
The proposal also lays out how to spend money from California’s signature cap-and-trade program, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions and allows large polluters to buy and sell unused emission allowances at quarterly auctions.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
In July 2025, Birkin's original handbag was auctioned off as part of Sotheby's Paris Fashion Icons sale.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The tax collector of the town of Granby has slated them for public auction to satisfy delinquent taxes and charges under state law, according to the town.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026
The proposal also lays out how to spend money from California’s signature cap-and-trade program, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions and allows large polluters to buy and sell unused emission allowances at quarterly auctions.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Teenagers from across the state will come to Denver to auction off cattle, goats and other livestock, with the goal of earning money for college, first cars or to reinvest in their farming endeavors.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
In July 2025, Birkin's original handbag was auctioned off as part of Sotheby's Paris Fashion Icons sale.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for auction
Cite this Entry
“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auction. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
