bidding

American  

[bid-ing] / ˈbɪd ɪŋ /

noun

1. command; summons; invitation.

   I went there at his bidding.

2. bids bid collectively, or a period during which bids bid are made or received.

   The bidding began furiously.

3. a bid. bide.

---

idioms

1. do someone's bidding, to submit to someone's orders; perform services for someone.

   After he was promoted to vice president at the bank, he expected everyone around him to do his bidding.

bidding British  

/ ˈbɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. an order; command (often in the phrases do or follow the bidding of , at someone's bidding )

2. an invitation; summons

3. the act of making bids, as at an auction or in bridge

4. bridge a group of bids considered collectively, esp those made on a particular deal

---

Etymology

Origin of bidding

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; bid ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Ben previously reported on M&A and finance in WSJ's New York office, writing about deals including Union Pacific's nearly $72 billion agreement to acquire Norfolk Southern and the bidding war over Warner Bros.

From The Wall Street Journal

Collectors sensed the rarity of Thursday’s offering and pounced, with at least four bidders competing for the work over a 45-minute bidding war, pushing it over 13 times its $2 million high estimate.

From The Wall Street Journal

Veteran skater Arianna Fontana, competing in her sixth Olympics, is bidding for a third consecutive gold in the shortest of the short track distances.

From BBC

“The deal we did for Fox, in many ways, was ahead of its time,” Iger said on the earnings call, noting the lofty bidding war currently underway for Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times

"We have to make sure that we're not bidding each other up for the same supplies," an EU official said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• auction
• tender