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Synonyms

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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of transaction

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

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing transaction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The transaction caps months of talks about a potential investment, and comes less than two months after OnlyFans’ owner Leo Radvinsky died from cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The executive’s latest transaction comes after a huge month for shares.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

And its 31% year-on-year drop in total quarterly revenue included a 40% year-on-year decline for transaction revenue, illustrating the effects of a weaker crypto market.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

In the last three months, Paramount lined up banks and other institutional investors to provide bridge financing to help pull off the transaction, the company said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

This transaction took place in Seaside and the stove weighed three hundred pounds.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck