transaction

American  

[tran-sak-shuhn, -zak-] / trænˈsæk ʃən, -ˈzæk- /

noun

1. the act of transacting or the fact of being transacted.

2. an instance or process of transacting something.

   Synonyms:

   affair, venture, enterprise, bargain, deal

3. something that is transacted, especially a business agreement.

4. Psychology. an interaction of an individual with one or more other persons, especially as influenced by their assumed relational roles of parent, child, or adult.

5. transactions, the published records of the proceedings, as papers read, addresses delivered, or discussions, at the meetings of a learned society or the like.

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transaction British  

/ trænˈzækʃən /

noun

1. something that is transacted, esp a business deal or negotiation

2. the act of transacting or the state of being transacted

3. (plural) the published records of the proceedings of a society, conference, etc

4. (in business computing) the act of obtaining and paying for an item or service

5. (in general computing) the transmission and processing of an item of data

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Other Word Forms

• pretransaction noun
• transactional adjective
• transactionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of transaction

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin trānsāctiōn- (stem of trānsāctiō ) “completion, transaction”; transact, -ion

Explanation

A transaction is any kind of action involved in conducting business, or an interaction between people. When you go to the bank, fill out a form, and deposit your paycheck, you make a transaction. An important business deal can be called a transaction, particularly the buying or selling of goods, but you can call any exchange with another person a transaction. There are transactions involving money, ideas, and even e-mail. The Latin root transactionem describes an agreement or accomplishment. This led to a mid-15th century version of transaction that described the adjustment of a dispute.

Example Sentences

As part of the transaction, Raiffeisen intends to sell Addiko’s subsidiaries in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro to Alta Pay—a shareholder linked to Serbian businessman Davor Macura.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Miners use specialized computers to validate transactions and earn newly minted bitcoin and transaction fees, making their businesses highly sensitive to bitcoin prices, electricity costs and the efficiency of their machines.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

When a second transaction came through 35 minutes later, her suspicions were confirmed.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

II, a special purpose acquisition company, in a transaction valuing the start-up at $2 billion pre-money.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

I was six years old at the time, but I recall watching the transaction with complete understanding.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• action
• activity
• affair
• agreement
• bond
• business
• buying
• contract
• deal
• enterprise
• matter
• negotiation
• purchase
• sale
• selling