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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The state sold older vehicles at auctions but didn’t bother to get a bill of sale signed by the buyers, the audit said. Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025 That’s how much the rookie jerseys for NBA legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are expected to sell for at auction. Daniel Wine, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
Sotheby’s is auctioning off rare jerseys from Michael Jordan’s and Kobe Bryant’s rookie season. Jessica Golden, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025 Well, apparently the Kentucky distillery is continuing its altruistic streak, because starting today nonprofit organizations can apply to the 100 Bourbon Sets for 100 Charities initiative to receive some of its most valuable bottles to auction off to raise money for a series of good causes. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for auction

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Auction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auction. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on auction

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