auction

American  

[awk-shuhn] / ˈɔk ʃən /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to sell by auction (often followed byoff ).

   He auctioned off his furniture.

auction British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to sell by auction

Other Word Forms

• auctionable adjective
• auctionary adjective
• proauction adjective
• unauctioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of auction

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

Example Sentences

Allowances are sold at auction and can also be traded among polluters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Bonds are reflecting investors’ concerns, most recently with the tepid investor response last week to a $69 billion auction of 2-year Treasuries.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

In January, RR Auction held an auction to celebrate the anniversary that included rare items such as Jobs’ bedroom desk and bow ties.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The 10-year auction is likely to attract stronger demand given its higher yield.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

When an auction for Osage oil leases was held in Tulsa in 2012, three leases sold for less than $15,000 in total.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• sell-off