auction

Definition of auction

Etymology

From Latin augere ("to increase").

Pronunciation

• (British, American) ôk'shən, /ˈɔːkʃən/, /"O:kS@n/
• Rhymes: -ɔːkʃən
• (Australian) enPR: ŏk'shən, IPA: /ˈɒkʃən/, SAMPA: /"QkS@n/
• Rhymes: -ɒkʃən

Noun

auction (plural auctions)

1. A public event where goods or property are sold to the highest bidder.

Synonyms

• roup sale

Derived terms

• Dutch auction
• Online auction

Verb

to auction (third-person singular simple present auctions, present participle auctioning, simple past and past participle auctioned)

1. To sell at an auction.

Derived terms

• auctioneer
• auction off

See also

• bid
• bidder

Anagrams

• Alphagram: acinotu
• caution

Further reading

An auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder. In economic theory, an auction may refer to any mechanism or set of trading rules for exchange.

There are several variations on the basic auction form, including time limits, minimum or maximum limits on bid prices, and special rules for determining the winning bidder(s) and sale price(s). Participants in an auction may or may not know the identities or actions of other participants. Depending on the auction, bidders may participate in person or remotely through a variety of means, including telephone and the internet. The seller usually pays a commission to the auctioneer or auction company based on a percentage of the final sale price.