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

Another new spirit arriving at auction doesn’t usually have industry-wide implications, but Dobel Tequila’s ultra-rare new expression is different. —Andy Vasoyan, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Now, more than 50 years later, the late astronaut’s timepiece has sold at auction for $2.1 million, including fees, according to RR Auction. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025

Verb

The Browns could easily auction it off to the highest bidder and move down again, acquiring more picks in this draft or next year’s draft to help the roster. —Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

The painting was auctioned at the 2023 Beijing Rongbao Autumn Arts Auction for 1.288 million RMB. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Apr. 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