definition
strict definition
auction house
A place reserved for selling goods through competitive bidding, regardless of the kind of merchandise.
An auction house is a place reserved for the sale of goods through competitive bidding.
Competitive bidding is the distinguishing method of sale. A shop can sell the same goods at stated prices, and an exhibition can display them without conducting an auction. Neither activity alone makes the premises an auction house.
The goods need not be fine art or antiques. A place reserved for auctions can specialize in a particular kind of merchandise, and its rooms and equipment depend on that merchandise. A separate viewing gallery and a fixed auctioneer's rostrum are not conditions of the term.