transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran-ˈzak-shən 

tran(t)-ˈsak-

1

a

: something transacted

especially : an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds

electronic transactions

b

transactions plural : the often published record of the meeting of a society or association

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: a communicative action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other

transactional

tran-ˈzak-sh(ə-)nəl 

tran(t)-ˈsak-

adjective

Synonyms of transaction

• sale

Examples of transaction in a Sentence

The entire transaction took place over the phone.

a record of your recent banking transactions

the transaction of business over the phone

Recent Examples on the Web

Credit card companies and financial institutions currently charge retailers a fee when consumers use cards, based on the total transaction, including goods, taxes and tips. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

If financial institutions don't comply within 30 days, the law provides for civil penalties of $1,000 per each transaction — and hundreds of millions of these transactions happen annually. —Jerry Nowicki, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

With cashless payments and digital transactions on the rise, whether or not Idaho businesses accept paper money seems irrelevant for many Boise-area residents. —Hali Smith april 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2026

Delaware slashed taxes on banks, eliminated interest rate ceilings on all consumer transactions and allowed banks to charge additional fees on top of interest cost, such as cash withdrawal fees and transaction fees. —Brandon Holveck, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for transaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

Kids Definition

transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran(t)s-ˈak-shən 

tranz-

1

a

: something transacted

especially : a business deal

b

plural : the record of the meeting of an organization

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: an act of communication between two people who influence or change each other

Legal Definition

transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran-ˈzak-shən, -ˈsak- 

1

: something transacted

especially : an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: an action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other

3

in the civil law of Louisiana : an onerous contract that is intended by the parties to prevent or end actual or possible litigation and in which they make reciprocal concessions compare accord, satisfaction