auction

1 of 2

noun

auc·​tion ˈȯk-shən How to pronounce auction (audio)
1
: a sale of property to the highest bidder
2
: the act or process of bidding in some card games

auction

2 of 2

verb

auctioned; auctioning ˈȯk-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce auction (audio)

transitive verb

: to sell at auction
auctioned off his library

Examples of auction in a Sentence

Noun She bought the desk at an auction. He made several bids at the auction. Verb They auctioned a similar desk last year. The house was auctioned last week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Years ago, Noah acquired a statue of it at an auction, which now proudly sits on his fireplace mantel. Noel Burgess, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 As a part of its Fashion Icons auction, which begins on November 27th, Sotheby’s has included three of CBK’s iconic coats—including a leopard one. Naomi Pike, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2024
Verb
Sotheby’s is auctioning one of the most iconic sports jerseys of all time: a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls road red jersey worn during the team’s 1996-97 championship season. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2024 Other items to be auctioned include the USS Enterprise Helm and Navigation Console from the original series and several costumes and props. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for auction 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'auction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin auction-, auctio, from augēre to increase — more at eke

First Known Use

Noun

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1723, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of auction was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near auction

Cite this Entry

“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auction. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

auction

1 of 2 noun
auc·​tion ˈȯk-shən How to pronounce auction (audio)
: a sale at which things are sold to those who offer to pay the most

auction

2 of 2 verb
auctioned; auctioning -sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce auction (audio)
: to sell at auction
Etymology

Noun

from Latin auction-, auctio, from augēre "to increase" — related to augment

Legal Definition

auction

noun
auc·​tion
: a public sale of property to the highest bidder see also reserve
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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