microtransaction

noun

mi·​cro·​trans·​ac·​tion ˌmī-krō-tran-ˈzak-shən 

-tran(t)-ˈsak-

plural microtransactions

: an online transaction involving a small amount of currency

And each time a song is streamed on one of those platforms, a microtransaction occurs, ranging from around .001 to .005 cents per play.

—John Klyce

especially : such a transaction made within a video game (as to purchase exclusive content or competitive advantage)

The microtransactions that most mobile games are built on—$1 here, $5 there—can add up quickly.

—Seth Schiesel

Is it entirely legal for companies with business models based mainly on microtransactions to target young gamers who may not fully understand that they are incurring a charge when they purchase things with in-game currency?

—Eric Neigher

Blizzard [Entertainment] famously touted last week that "Diablo Immortal" made $24 million in its first two weeks purely from microtransaction purchases.

—Josh Rouse

Examples of microtransaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The big sticking point for a number of college football and gaming fans was the introduction of microtransactions, a practice involving paying real money to unlock features in the game. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

Bordeaux’s initial YouTube video criticizing the new microtransactions garnered more than 530,000 views over three days. — Matt Moret, New York Times, 11 July 2026

The new Escape From Tarkov expansions hub is primarily an improved way to purchase microtransactions that were previously only available through the game’s official website. — Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Granted, there are a couple of caveats to consider here, such as the fact that video game revenue includes in-game microtransactions (in-app purchases) and not just the initial sale of the game, whereas a movie release relies on a one-time ticket purchase. — Marc Saltzman, USA Today, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

micro- + transaction

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for microtransaction

• dissatisfaction
• overreaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction