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

While the British government reportedly assured its allies that the lines do not carry sensitive government data, the cables transmit financial transactions as well as communication traffic for millions of internet users. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026

The transaction was announced on the USC football program’s official social media channels on Tuesday afternoon. —Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026

The earlier simplicity — earning rewards on rent with minimal spending and no transaction fees — no longer defines the program in the same way. —Ryley Amond, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026

No final decisions on any share offerings or sell-downs have been made, and the timing of any transactions will depend on market conditions, the people said. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 14 Jan. 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