1
past tense and past participle bid
a
: to offer to pay (a particular amount of money) for something that is being sold : to make a bid at an auction
I'll bid $100 for/on the lamp but no higher.
The auctioneer said, "What am I bid [=offered] for this lamp?"
He plans to stop bidding if the bids go over $500.
She bid for/on a desk and a chair.
The two brothers bid against each other for the same chair. [=they each tried to buy the chair by repeatedly making higher bids than the other one had made]
b
US
: to offer to do work for a particular price
Several local companies are bidding for the same job.
His company bid on the snow removal contract.
2
past tense and past participle bid
: to say how many points you are trying to win in a card game
He bid two.
He bid and I passed.
3
formal
: to order or command (someone) to do something
We did as we were bid/bidden.
She bid/bade them enter. [=told them to come in]
4
formal
: to express (greetings or good wishes) to (someone) : to say (something, such as "good morning," "good evening," etc.) to (someone)
They bade me farewell. = They bade farewell to me. [=they said goodbye to me]
She bid him good day.
plural bids
1
a
: an offer to pay a particular amount of money for something
Bids for the painter's work have been quite high at recent auctions.
She had the highest bid.
He made a bid of $100 for the painting.
He made the opening bid.
b
: an offer to do a job for a particular price
The company is accepting bids for the renovation project.
2
: an attempt to win, get, or do something
The company is facing a takeover bid. [=someone is trying to gain control of the company by buying most of its stock]
—often + forTwo convicts made a dramatic bid for freedom but were soon recaptured.
They made a strong bid for the championship.
a bid for power/reelection
—often followed by to + verbThey failed in their bid to close the school.
3
: a statement of how many points a player is trying to win in a card game
Cite this Entry
“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bid. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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