I. ˈȯkshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin auction-, auctio, literally, increase, from auctus (past participle of augēre to increase) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at eke
1. : a public sale of property to the highest bidder (as by successive increased bids)
going to an auction of household goods
two cows bought at the auction
— sometimes used with at
sell at auction
2. in card games
a. : the act or process of bidding (as in auction bridge)
b. : the final declaration : contract
c. : any game (as auction pinochle) marked by bidding with the exception of contract bridge ; especially : auction bridge
playing a game of auction
3. : an organization of wholesale dealers who make offers in a year-round competitive selling system marked by leisurely bidding
some poultrymen sell eggs through an egg auction
II. transitive verb
( auctioned ; auctioned ; auctioning -sh(ə)niŋ ; auctions )
: to sell at auction — often used with off
all the books were auctioned off