Vocabulary

auc·tion

auc·tion

\ˈȯk-shən\

noun

: a public sale at which things are sold to thepeople who offer to pay the most

Full Definition

1 : a sale of property to the highest bidder2 : the act or process of bidding in some cardgames

Origin: Latin auction-, auctio, from augēre toincrease - more at eke.

First use: 1595

2

auction

: to sell (something) at an auction

Full Definition

transitive verb: to sell at auction <auctioned off his library>

Other forms: auc·tioned; auc·tion·ing\-sh(ə-)niŋ\

Examples

They auctioned a similar desk last year.The house was auctioned last week.The house was auctioned off last week.

First use: circa 1798