a usually public sale of goods or property, where people make higher and higher bids (= offers of money) for each thing, until the thing is sold to the person who will pay most

a furniture auction 家具拍卖会

They're holding an auction of jewellery on Thursday. 他们将在周四举行一场珠宝拍卖会。

The painting will be sold at auction next week. 这幅画将在下周拍卖。

The house and its contents are being put up for auction. 这座房子及里面的家当将交付拍卖。

to sell something in a public auction

The stamps will be auctioned tomorrow. 这些邮票将在明天拍卖。

The family is auctioning (off) its art collection. 这家人将要拍卖他们的艺术收藏品。