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

Warren is very proud of the fact that he purchased Pegasus at an auction for $400.

From Outside Online

It still included an online auction, live-streamed events, and a bachelor auction among the adjusted activities.

From Washington Blade

DuckDuckGo further claims that adopting a version of its recommended choice screen, presumably without the auction, would dramatically improve the market share of Google’s competitors.

From Search Engine Land

CPCs and CPMs to compete in ad auctions vary widely by country.

From Search Engine Land

In some campaigns, traffic has increased, but this is due to the fact that the auction has been released.

From Search Engine Watch

This return scam involved purchasing broken electronics off the auction site and then buying new items off store shelves.

From The Daily Beast

Along the Prado they used to sell slaves on the auction block, too.

From The Daily Beast

We want to be the global auction house for the new collector at lower price points and create a more liquid market.

From The Daily Beast

Paddle8 works better than a smaller regional auction house because it is nimbler and its costs—to the seller and buyer—are lower.

From The Daily Beast

“The intention is to create a 21st century auction house,” Gilkes says.

From The Daily Beast

One day Mr. Chittenden told Grace there was to be an auction of slaves, and he would go and try to get one for a housekeeper.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not realize that her father did not wish her to see the distressing scenes which often took place at an auction of slaves.

From Project Gutenberg

We talked over Horn farm, which will be let next month by auction, and I am only afraid of getting too much money for it.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the duties which he proposed to to repeal was the auction-duty on the transfer of property.

From Project Gutenberg

The alder-buyer's wrinkled eyes were peering sideways at an auction announcement pinned to the wall.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sell-off