deaccession

American  

[dee-ak-sesh-uhn] / ˌdi ækˈsɛʃ ən /

Or de-accession

verb (used with object)

1. to sell (a work of art) from a museum's or gallery's collections, especially with a view to acquiring funds for the purchase of other works.

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verb (used without object)

1. to deaccession a work of art from a museum's or gallery's collections.

noun

1. a deaccessioned work of art.

Etymology

Origin of deaccession

First recorded in 1970–75; de- + accession

Example Sentences

Restricted funds can include money raised through the deaccession and sale of art donated to a museum’s collection.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

I tried to deaccession her from this story, to put her out of my mind, but I couldn't.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2022

“You don’t deaccession anything in a museum easily, nor should you. And the process is a pain. But there was no resistance or debate,” she said.

From Washington Post • Oct. 11, 2022

Sequestering deaccession income for future art purchases is the next best thing, which is one reason the compensation is a long-established museum norm.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2021

Since Ms. Phillips’s departure, the Little Falls Library has updated its deaccession policy to make more explicit that proceeds will not be used for operating expenses and to spell out procedures.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2010