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

The measure, which was the least specific of the four endorsed Wednesday, would reclassify online travel companies as hotel operators to increase how much of their hotel transactions would be subject to the city’s hotel tax, formally known as a transient-occupancy tax. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026

Unlike the Illinois treasurer, who handles the state’s investments and oversees a college savings program, the comptroller pays the state’s bills, monitors fiscal compliance, records transactions and contracts and issues reports that guide the governor and legislature on budget decisions. —Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Investors recognize the choppy waters ahead for MLB but are increasingly betting on the long-term economic prospects of the sport, as witnessed by a series of control and LP transactions during the past 12 months. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Excessive transactions fee None Overdraft fees N/A Offer checking account? —Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 Mar. 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