Auction Meaning
Auction Definition & Usage
A public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder.
Examples
- "The antique vase was sold at auction for over $5,000."
- "I’m thinking of putting my old car up for auction next week."
- "The painting was one of the highlights of the auction, fetching an unexpected price."
- "Many of the items at the charity auction were donated by local businesses."
- "The auction house hosts sales every month for rare collectibles."
To sell something at an auction, typically to the highest bidder.
Examples
- "They auctioned off several rare books from the library's collection."
- "She plans to auction her vintage jewelry next year."
- "The property was auctioned to the highest bidder after the estate sale."
- "Many valuable items were auctioned off to raise funds for the charity."
- "He decided to auction his old car because he no longer had space for it."
Cultural Context
Auctions have been a longstanding method of selling goods, dating back to ancient times, and have been used in various cultures, including Roman and Chinese societies. Today, auctions are used in many contexts, from art sales to estate liquidations and charity events. Online auctions, such as eBay, have brought a new dynamic to this age-old practice, allowing people to bid from anywhere in the world.
The Auction that Changed Everything
Story
The Auction that Changed Everything
Anna had never attended an auction before, but when she walked into the grand hall of the estate sale, she felt a rush of excitement. The room was filled with people, all eyeing the items on display—everything from vintage furniture to priceless paintings. She had been saving for months to bid on a rare, antique ring that had belonged to her great-grandmother, but she was unsure if she could compete with the seasoned collectors around her. As the auctioneer stepped up, his voice boomed over the microphone, calling the first lot to the stage. The bidding started, and Anna’s heart raced. With each raise of the auctioneer’s gavel, the price went higher. It was exhilarating to watch the competition unfold. As she raised her hand to place her bid, the auctioneer locked eyes with her. ‘Do I have ten thousand?’ he asked, his gavel poised in the air. She could feel the heat of the room and the pressure of the moment, but she raised her paddle. The bidding was fierce, but after a tense few moments, the gavel came down, and the ring was hers. She had won. It was more than she had ever expected to pay, but the rush of victory and the sense of connection to her family history made it worth every penny. Later that evening, as Anna sat at her kitchen table with the ring on her finger, she smiled. The auction wasn’t just about acquiring an item; it was about the experience—the competitive thrill of bidding, the strategy behind the scenes, and the emotions that ran high during the event. Little did she know, this auction would lead to more than just a prized possession. It would spark a journey into the world of antique collecting, turning her into a regular bidder at auctions around the country. From that day on, Anna would tell her friends, ‘I didn’t just buy a ring—I auctioned for it.’
