auction

[ awk-shuhn ]

noun

1. Also called public sale. a publicly held sale at which property or goods are sold to the highest bidder.
2. Cards.
   1. auction bridge.
   2. (in bridge or certain other games) the competitive bidding to fix a contract that a player or players undertake to fulfill.

verb (used with object)

1. to sell by auction (often followed by off ):

   He auctioned off his furniture.

auction

/ ˈɔːkʃən /

noun

1. a public sale of goods or property, esp one in which prospective purchasers bid against each other until the highest price is reached Compare Dutch auction
2. the competitive calls made in bridge and other games before play begins, undertaking to win a given number of tricks if a certain suit is trumps
3. See auction bridge

verb

1. troften foll byoff to sell by auction

Other Words From

• auction·a·ble adjective
• auction·ary adjective
• pro·auction adjective
• un·auctioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of auction¹

1585–95; < Latin auctiōn- (stem of auctiō ) an increase, especially in the bidding at a sale, equivalent to auct ( us ) increased, past participle of augēre ( aug- increase + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of auction¹

C16: from Latin auctiō an increasing, from augēre to increase

Example Sentences

The specific pair of shoes being auctioned feature in scenes where Dorothy stands at the gates to Oz.

From BBC

“To see that people are still auctioning our ancestral human remains in the 21st Century was shocking,” she said.

From BBC

A never-before-seen collection of treasures belonging to a comedy legend are set for auction.

From BBC

Both cars were sold still covered in dust that had settled on their bodywork over the years, which the auction house was keen to retain.

From BBC

Sir Arthur received the gift from Mr Astor's wife at a lunch at the family's mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City, according to the auction house.

From BBC

Related Words

• sell-off