Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

auction

/ˈɔːkʃən/ noun

In Latin: auctiō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about auction at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge.
The public sale of something to the highest bidder.

verb

Sell at an auction.

Origin

From Latin auctiō (“an increase, auction”), from augere (“to increase”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word