auction Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge
    auction bridge.
  2. noun the public sale of something to the highest bidder
    auction sale; vendue.
  3. verb sell at an auction
    auction off; auctioneer.

WordNet

Auc"tion noun
Etymology
L. auctio an increasing, a public sale, where the price was called out, and the article to be sold was adjudged to the last increaser of the price, or the highest bidder, fr. L. augere, auctum, to increase. See Augment.
Definitions
  1. A public sale of property to the highest bidder, esp. by a person licensed and authorized for the purpose; a vendue.
  2. The things sold by auction or put up to auction.
    Ask you why Phryne the whole auction buys ? Pope.
    ✍ In the United States, the more prevalent expression has been "sales at auction," that is, by an increase of bids (Lat. auctione). This latter form is preferable. P. Cyc.
Auc"tion transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To sell by auction.

Webster 1913